May 10, 2011 (Zephaniah 1-3)

Prior to this I read about King Josiah - he became king at the age of eight, and when he turned sixteen he began to follow the Lord. As part of that, in his efforts to restore honor to the Temple, the Book of the Law was found. When it was read to him, he tore his clothes in horror at how the people had turned away from God. He repented and humbled himself before God and God said He would not bring the promised destruction until after Josiah was dead. But there was still judgement for the people's past sins. Although Jesus has suffered the penalty for our sins, there are still consequences to our actions and God is still 'searching to and fro to find those whose hearts are perfect towards Him'.

During the days of King Josiah, these are the words of Jephaniah the prophet:

^1:5 For they go up to their roofs
      and bow down to the sun, moon, and stars.
   They claim to follow the Lord,
      but then they worship Molech, too.
 ⁶ And I will destroy those who used to worship me
      but now no longer do.
   They no longer ask for the Lord’s guidance
      or seek my blessings.

¹² “I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners
      to find and punish those who sit contented in their sins,
   Indifferent to the Lord, thinking he will do nothing to them
      at all."

I know I don't worship 'Molech', but as I read these words, I can't help but feel that my heart is 'divided'; that I am not singularly and entirely the Lord's.

And then, what seems appropriate for our day of prayer coming up:

^2:1 Gather together and pray,
      you shameless nation.
 ² Gather while there is still time, before judgment begins
      and your opportunity is blown away like chaff.
   Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls
      and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins.
 ³ Beg the Lord to save you - all who are humble,
      all you who uphold justice.
   Walk humbly and do what is right
      and to live humbly.
   Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you—
      protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.

And even though we don't see Him, this promise is true:

 ^3:5 But the Lord is still there in the city,
      and he does no wrong.
   Day by day his justice is more evident,
      but no one takes notice -
      the wicked know no shame.


It's so hard to be encouraged when I see the sin of my heart and the judgement that God pronounced on His sinful people. But I have to remember that because I am in Christ, there is no longer condemnation of my life. Because of that I am to be a new creature, continually praising the grace of my Savior; constantly thinking of His love for me; giving back to Him out of a heart of love and devotion; continually renewing the way I think.  Believing this verse:

^3:17 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.

May I live in such a way that God will joyfully sing over my life.