In that last post- we only got through the first 6 verses of Zephaniah! This one may be a bit longer! But now that we have had an eye-opening introduction to Zephaniah! We will go through the rest of the first chapter!
Starting at verse 7, "Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign Lord, for the awesome day of the Lord's judgement is near. The Lord has prepared His people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners. 8. On the day of judgement, says the Lord, 'I will punish the leaders and princes of Judah and all those following pagan customs. 9. Yes, I will punish those who participate in pagan worship ceremonies, and those who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit."
Do ya all know what a pagan worship ceremony is? Or what it would relate to? Celebrating anything that is not God! Think about the parties we attend! Think about the parades we go to! Are they of God?
And then that last line, "those who fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit." I can't help but think of the children of this next generation. How hateful and disrespectful some are, especially to their parents. All homes need a douse of Jesus! And then there are the homes that need an invasion of Jesus!
"10. On that day,' says the Lord, ' a cry of alarm will come from the Fish Gate and echo throughout the New Quarter of the city. And a great crash will sound from the hills. 11. Wail in sorrow, all you who live in the market area, for all the merchants and traders will be destroyed. 12. 'I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem's darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad."
How many of you were stung by verse 12?!?! My hand is humbly in the air!! Haw many of you are "sitting in a dark corner" Sitting "complacent" in your sins?? How many claim that it is just too hard to quit drinking? To quit smoking? To quit swearing? To quit drugs? To quit being hateful? How many of you have told yourself that "God knew who you were when He called you!!" Or that "God accepted you as you were" and that you "didn't have to change"?!?!
How many of you have ignored the Holy Spirit convicting you of those things?? We all have!! We all have that sin that we like! That we are comfortably with! That we don't want to release! But I also don't want God searching dark corners to find me trying to hide from Him either!
"13. So their property will be plundered, their homes will be ransacked. They will build new homes but never live in them. They will plant vineyards but never drink wine from them. 14. 'That terrible day of the Lord is near. Swiftly it comes- a day of bitter tears, a day when even strong men will cry out. 15. It will be a day when the Lord's anger is poured out-- a day of terrible distress and anguish, a day of ruin and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, 16. a day of trumpet calls and battle cries. Down go the walled cities and strongest battlements!"
"A day when even the strong men will cry out." It won't matter how strong you are physically! Or mentally! It won't matter if you believe in supernatural powers! If you are not on God's side--- THEN YOU WILL BE ON THE WRONG SIDE!
This is your chance! Right now!! To say, "YES LORD!!!" This is your chance! Right now!! To get on the RIGHT SIDE!
"17. Because you have sinned against the Lord, I will make you grope around like the blind. Your blood will be poured into the dust, and your bodies will lie rotting on the ground.' 18. Your silver and gold will not save you on that day of the Lord's anger. For the whole land will be devoured by the fire of His jealousy. He will make a terrifying end of all the people on earth."
I want to be standing on the side of victory!! I do not want to die a terrifying death, or to be sent to a terrifying eternity!! You maybe terrified to change things about your life. You may be terrified of what your friends and family may say about you! But God is faithful! And just! You will be richly rewarded with God's love, and warmly welcomed into the family of God!!! It will be OH so worth it!
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