Scripture: Zephaniah 1: 14-18

The great day of the Lord is near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. I will bring distress on the people and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth. 

Scripture Commentary: The great day of the Lord is near and coming quickly

At the time of Zephaniah’s prophesy, the great day of the Lord was near. The Babylonians would soon come and destroy Jerusalem.

The day of the Lord is also near us. God promises a final judgement, a day of worldwide destruction. The Babylonians’ conquest occurred just as surely and horribly as Zephaniah predicted.

God’s final day of judgement is also sure, but so is his ability to save. Recognize, you have sinned. Know that your sin will bring judgement and that you cannot save yourself. God alone can save you from damnation.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Zephaniah Chapter 1

Scripture: Zephaniah 3: 1-4

Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the marrow. Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

Scripture Commentary: Have we rejected God in our hearts?

Have we polluted our cities, churches and lives, by not living the way God has told us?

Zephaniah had predicted the destruction of the nations surrounding the city of Jerusalem. He turned to the sinning in Jerusalem.

Are our cities becoming defiled and sinful as the pagan cities of yesterday? Are we pretending to falsely serve God? Have we rejected him in our hearts? Are we continuing to be complacent about our sins? Do we no longer care about the consequences of turning from God?

God has given us the way out. The Bible, His Word, His Son, Jesus Christ is the way. We experience events that tempt us to destruction or salvation.

God sent his Son to die on the cross for all our sins. He rose on the third day and went to heaven to prepare a place for us. God has given you the way. Are you going to take it?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Zephaniah Chapter 3

Scripture: Zephaniah 3: 8-11

Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.  

For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to service him with one consent.  

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. 

Scripture Commentary: Is your life for God or for your own enjoyment?

God will judge all people according to what they have done. Wait upon the Lord.  Justice will prevail.  God will punish evil doers; he will bless the obedient.

God will remove the proud people and leave the meek and humble. God opposes to the proud and haughty of every generation. He will reward those who are meek and humble, both physically and spiritually, because they trust in him. Self-reliance and arrogance have no place among God’s people or in his kingdom.

Ask yourself, is my life for God or for my own enjoyment? Is my reform merely an outward show, or do I live and preach the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ? Do I lift his name up with praise and song?

Summarily, are you ready to gather together and pray, and walk humbly with God?  Are you ready to do what is right, and to hear the message of forgiveness, love, and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Zephaniah Chapter 3