I can't take any credit for this because it come from my Bible, The Spirit Filled Life Bible, New King James Version.
Just reading on Zephaniah, found it ever so shocking how what was going on then, it so parallel of today. Like the roads were side by side for today. Can see the similarity that are happening to day in USA, and well around. The influence of Assyria's religious, social, and fashion practice set the trend...alters worship to things had rooted into the temple. Yes, there was a reformation with King Josiah, revival led by King Josiah, purged of idolatrous practices. This the part were I start to ask God not just send reveal to America but to transform the heart in America. Cause just as the People of God had the reform, it was on of extranals, since the heart of the people had not been changed, There was a since that everything was right with the world, living in momentary peace and prosperity...into this complacent atmosphere the devastating message of Zephniah comes like a searing blast. I think what jumped at me was the part about complacency in ritual of a well-structed religious life with God's voice, receiving correction or draign near to Him, that really pulls at me and such. Cause it's true that is it more a tragedy to not be aware of the spiritual emptiness some can have even with "well being religious activities". Which may be a challenge to actually stop and examine ones self and see.
But for right now I want to share things that pop out to me in the Personal Application of Zephaniah. Lessons for believers and nonbelievers are found in Zephaniah.
- God is perfect justice as well as perfect love (Zephaniah 3:5). If the call to repentance is continually ignored, God's judgment must consequently fall.
- Punishment is not God's choice for "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
- To settle into the complacency of financial prosperity (Zephaniah 1:10-13) and to participate in the ritual of a well-structured religious life without the obeying God's voice, receiving correction, or drawing near to Him (Zephaniah 3:2) is n ever-present possibility. Even more tragic is to have no awareness of such spiritual emptiness.
- Even to the rebellious, God offer last-minute reprieve (Zephaniah 2:1-3). The remnant who humble themselves and seek righteousness will be hidden in the Day of hte Lord's anger (Zephaniah 2:3). They will be gathered to Him and healed (Zephaniah 3:18), for God dwells in their mist (Zephaniah 3:18). This abiding promise to God's people is the essence of the gospel.
Zephaniah name means "The Lord Has Hidden'. An this is the applied that we are covered in the Blood of Jesus of Christ, in connection with the Passover in Egypt, for those with the blood-mark doors was hidden behind the blood blood-marked doors were protected from the angel of death, is repeated in the promise of Zephaniah 2:3, where those meek of the Earth who have upheld God;s justicee will be hidden in the Day of the Lord's anger. Colossians 3:2,3 spells out this aspect of Christ's ministry: "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
- The Spirit Filled Life Bible, New King James Version.
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