Zephaniah 1:1-18
Tuesday, 20 February 2024
“The great day of the LORD is near …..” -Zephaniah 1:14
The ‘Day of the LORD’ and its imminence is a theme referred in several books of the Bible. In Chapter 1, God warns people through prophet Zephaniah about the coming of the Day of the Lord – a day of judgement that God would bring about.
The beginning verses tell us that the message is universal. Verse 2 says "I will completely remove all things…” This is not a specific judgement on Judah alone – but applicable for all the world. It covers all the people of every tribe, nation and language. In chapter1 the reason why people cannot stand before the day of the Lord is explained: Idol worship; turning away from the Lord; Violence and deceit (verses 4-9).
Now, verse 18 says that their wealth cannot save them from this day. Nothing that man does will help him in the day of judgement!! In verse 12, God says that He will search the people thoroughly: "That I will search Jerusalem with lamps.” This tells us that nobody can provide any excuse before the Lord, because He reads our heart!! The Bible tells us that God knows our intents, the thoughts in our hearts; He sees our actions: He hears our words. David says in Psalm 139:7: “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” In the book of Revelation it is written “… I am he who searches hearts and minds,..”(Rev.2:23). In Ezekiel 14:3: “…these men have set up their idols in their hearts, …Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?”
Dear reader, today you need to understand the fact that the world will come to an end and there will be a day of judgement. Your thoughts and actions will be brought to judgment.
Zephaniah is not only informing people about the Lord’s Day, but proclaims to the people the way of escape – "Gather yourselves……. Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you……… Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:1-3).
· Seek the Lord
· Seek righteousness
· Seek humility
Dear friend, the risen Lord Jesus is the Lion of Judah— He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Oh- He is a consuming fire! His eyes shine like the Sun …. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He holds the whole world by the power of His Word. He said in Matt.28:18 that all authority in heaven and earth is given to Him. In John 17:2 He said that He was given the authority over all the flesh!!!
You are under the authority of Jesus Christ – whether you know Him or not; whether you have accepted Him or not; whether you acknowledge His authority over you or not!! The Bible says it is appointed for men once to die and then face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). After your death there is only one person who has authority to judge you – that is Jesus Christ.
However, today He is kind; He is gracious and He is compassionate and He calls you, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”(Matt.11:28) Will you come to Jesus who can forgive your sins – sins you have thought/done!! He is able to save you from the day of judgment.
Thought for the Day: The only way of escape on the Day of the Lord--you are to be hidden in Christ!!!