THURSDAY, 11 APRIL 2024
TEXT:
Zephaniah 3:1-20
1:
Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!
2:
She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord,
she does not draw near to her God.
3:
Her officials within her are roaring lions; her rulers are evening wolves, who
leave nothing for the morning.
4:
Her prophets are unprincipled; they are treacherous people. Her priests profane
the sanctuary and do violence to the law.
5:
The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he
dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous
know no shame.
6:
“I have destroyed nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their
streets deserted, with no one passing through. Their cities are laid waste;
they are deserted and empty.
7:
Of Jerusalem I thought, ‘Surely you will fear me and accept correction!’ Then
her place of refuge would not be destroyed, nor all my punishments come upon
her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did.
8:
Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “for the day I will stand up to
testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to
pour out my wrath on them— all my fierce anger. The whole world will be
consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.
9:
“Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the
name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
10:
From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring
me offerings.
11:
On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you
have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never
again will you be haughty on my holy hill.
12:
But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will
trust in the name of the Lord.
13:
They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies. A deceitful tongue will not be
found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them
afraid.”
14:
Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your
heart, Daughter Jerusalem!
15:
The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The
Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.
16:
On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your
hands hang limp.
17:
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.”
18:
“I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed
festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you.
19:
At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I
will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where
they have suffered shame.
20:
At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give
you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your
fortunes before your very eyes,” says the Lord.
(New International Version Holy
Bible)
TOPIC:
GOD OF JUSTICE AND MERCY
Our
God is a God of justice and mercy as He administers the heavens and the earth.
He is eternal by nature and is never in a hurry to do His pleasures, no matter
the prevailing situation in the world.
From
time to time, fallen man commits despicable acts which he knows carry dire
consequences from God. But because judgement didn't follow immediately, man
thinks retribution will never come.
God
is patiently waiting for evil and wicked men to repent because of His love
through Christ for the sons of men.
We
have been experiencing the severe pains of killings and insecurity in this
land, yet it seems God is no longer in charge! But judgement is coming to the
rebellious in heart and mercy to those who fear Him.
Let
no one think that God has abandoned His own. He will act at His own appointed
time.
QUESTION:
Do you doubt God's nature of justice and mercy when it comes to administering
the world to fulfil His purpose?
PRAYER:
Keep me in obedience to Your word that I may enjoy Your mercy on the day of
justice, in Jesus name. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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