Despite King Josiah’s religious reform in the last days of Judah, the people remained unrepentant. Zephaniah thus prophesied God’s judgment to Jerusalem and her surrounding nations. The book, however, ends with a surprise that God’s judgment is not just meant to punish, but also glean from the nations a people who will serve God with one accord. This vision, will be fully fulfilled by the Church of Christ.
ICA
Day 1
Scripture: Zephaniah 1
Confronting Complacency
I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth….At that time I will punish those who are complacent…who think “The Lord will do nothing, either good or bad.
Zephaniah 1:2a, 12 (NIV)
God sent Zephaniah to declare judgment on Judah, because of their rampant sin. He warned that the complacent will not enjoy the fruits of their labour. Nothing will be able to save them from total destruction.
Recently I asked some friends to imagine what we will be like at 80 years old. How can we finish well? Some focused on health or financial issues. But the most vigorous discussion was over Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus declared that only those who do the will of the Father will enter heaven. Despite prophesying, casting out demons or performing miracles, all in the name of Jesus, on judgment day, Jesus pronounced: “I never knew you.”
My thoughts harkened back to Zephaniah and his warning against complacency. We may not turn our backs on God, like in Zephaniah’s day, but how on fire are we for Jesus? Do we finish well or lapse into complacency? How can we have a regular “complacency check”?
Prayer
Father God thanks for reminding us not to be complacent but instead to do Your will until we are called home. Help us not to slack off or lose focus. Give us the strength and courage to always stand up for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 2
Scripture: Zephaniah 2
Repent and Seek the Lord
Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect—before the day passes away like chaff—before there comes upon you the burning anger of the Lord, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the Lord. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.
Zephaniah 2:1-3 (ESV)
A warning was given to all the people in Judah and they were asked to repent. The prophet asked them to get together and seek the Lord before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon them. Firstly, they had to seek the Lord. Secondly, they had to seek righteousness and humble themselves before Him, otherwise, His burning anger would come upon them. This also applies to all of us now. God is not far from every one of us. It’s only whether we want to get close to Him or not. We have to humble ourselves before Him. We have to seek His face each day and do His will.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your teaching today. May You always remind us to repent and humble before You. As Christians, may we bring all the potential-believers together, to gather, repent and seek righteousness before You. We pray all these in Your mighty name, Amen!
Day 3
Scripture: Zephaniah 3
Seek Him First
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
We learn from the book of Zephaniah, that the Israelites have drifted too far from God for way too long. The prophet Zephaniah was sent to give warning to the Israelites about the day of the Lord but sadly, despite all these warnings, they remained indifferent.
These judgments were written in the prophetic books to serve as warning for us. Similarly, as Christians we may find ourselves indulging in the present, preoccupied with life and all its decadence that we lose sight of God and His preeminence in our lives.
Our loving God wants none to perish but for all to come to Him. All we need to do is to seek and involve Him in our lives. Put Him in the centre of all things, acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight.
If we seek Him first in every area of our lives, we will do well.
As Scripture declares, for those who seek the Lord, He will save and rejoice over us with gladness, renew us with His love and rejoice over us with singing.
Prayer
Abba Father, we know that You are no different today than You were then. We want to put You first in every area of our lives. Help us to trust You with all our heart and lean not on our understanding but in all our ways acknowledge Your power and good plans for our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.