Calming Fears

O. T. #2254   "Calming Fears"

August 10, 2022

Summary of Zephaniah

LET IT GLOW

Shall we take time to look back over this small, but powerful book? Zephaniah was of royal blood line in Judah. His lineage goes back to the good King Hezekiah. His ministry preceded the reformation of Israel as a whole. the 10 northern tribes had already been in captivity by the Assyrians for a hundred years by this time. So Zephaniah probably ministered in Jerusalem. 

Zephaniah was used by God to share about the coming judgment of God upon the nations and Judah. It is never an easy message to share. He mentions The Day of The LORD some 18 times. It destroyed the false remnant of Baal worshipers, the nations who rejected God, and the purifying of the true remanant of believers.

I always like to look back over the verses which I highlighted. Here are some:

Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment: seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD's anger. (2:3)

Meek means gentle, needy, lowly. 

We are told to seek the Lord and follow His commands, do what is right, and live humbly. We know God protected His meek remnant in Judah when the Medes and Persian came. 

The remnant of the tribe of Judah will pasture there (Phisistia). They will rest at night in the abandoned houses in Ashkelon. For the LORD their God will visit His people in kindness and restore their prosperity again. (2:7 NLT)

God gives rest and kindness. How we are in need of it today in such a troubled and mixed up world! He is the same God then and now. How we need repentance! Will we interceed for our sinful nation?

 LET IT GROW 

Jerusalem refused correction. It did not trust in the LORD or draw near to its God. (3:2) God can turn away captivity. In chapter 3, God says to be glad, rejoice, sing, and shout, for peace, security, and restoration was ahead of the Jews. And so it is for us Christians who believe and trust in Jesus Christ.

I like how 3:17 is stated in New Living Translation:

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. 

What a mighty Savior Jesus is! He delights in us. He calms our fears. He even rejoices over us with songs of joy. Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior yet?

LET IT GO