I cannot imagine the fear of living in a war zone, constantly under the threat of bombs descending from above or the peril of a sniper’s bullet.
Similarly, the idea of living in a place where food and water are so scarce that I have to spend nearly every moment of the day in search of enough sustenance is beyond my comprehension.
Zephaniah’s prophecy should engender tremendous hope among the millions of people who are either in harm’s way through war or abject poverty.
Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more. Zephaniah 3.14-15
There are two blessed thoughts in Zechariah’s prophecy. One of them is the fear of disaster is no more; they are no longer in peril from their enemies.
The second, is that the Lord is present in their midst.
Reflecting on the conflicts in Ukraine, Israel/Hamas, and Sudan, we can pray for God to extend His promise of comfort and relief to those enduring hardship in these regions.
Similarly, we can pray for the countless individuals worldwide facing starvation, asking for God’s blessings and provision to meet their needs.
As we incorporate these verses into our lives, perhaps the most meaningful way to apply them is by striving to experience the Lord’s presence among us. God is personal and desires to be intimately and conversationally known by His children.
Let this be our prayer: to truly feel and recognize God’s presence in our midst.
God Gathers the Outcasts
I often refer to myself as a first-place finisher in life. God has graciously provided for me, but there have also been times when I have been either lame or an outcast.
My high school years were so painful because I felt excluded from the crowd I was supposed to belong to that I ran from the building with my diploma and never returned. When I needed hip and knee surgery, I knew what it was like to be lame, walking with a walker and a cane.
My situation changed, but some can only be changed by the activity of God. Praise God that He loves them and is working on their behalf.
I will deal with all your oppressors
at that time.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes, says the Lord. Zephaniah 3.19-20
A casual reading of the prophets reveals something about God’s concern for those who are disadvantaged, ostracized, or on the short end of the popularity spectrum.
He champions their cause. These individuals lack the means to protect or advocate for themselves, yet God personally intervenes to support and nurture them.
To stand with God means to join Him in caring for the disadvantaged.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 