On the 4th day of Christmas my true love gave to me a look at His judgment and His peace (Zephaniah 1:2-7).
Sunday is also known as the Lord’s Day, the time when Christians focus on God, giving Him their all. This is our day, but God has a day, too, the Day of the Lord, where He gives the world His all—His judgment and to the remnant of Israel His blessing. These are the pictures we see in Zephaniah.
“I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. “I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests, those who bow down on the roofs to the host of the heavens, those who bow down and swear to the LORD and yet swear by Milcom, those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.” Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the LORD is near; the LORD has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.—Zephaniah 1:2-7
The Lord reveals that no man or beast will miss His wrath except for those “the LORD has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated…,” the remnant of Israel. This sacrifice is the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His guests are those who accept Him as Savior and Lord (Hebrews 10:12, Matthew 10:6, 15:24). And we know this group is not just the remnant of Israel but anyone who makes such a decision for Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). We escape God’s ultimate wrath and rest in Him. Zephaniah details God’s presence, power and protection for the remnant (3:17-19), three attributes Jesus has for all believers (Hebrews 13:5b; 1 John 2:14b; and John 10:29).
No one has to endure God’s wrath. Everyone has a chance to receive Him. And those of us who have Jesus as Savior and Lord should make it a priority, especially this advent season, to share with others about Jesus’ presence, power and protection, which is reserved only family. If given the opportunity, make sure to invite them to our family.
For help leading someone to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, read John 3:14-18; Romans 3:23, 6:23, 8:1, 10:9-10 & Ephesians 2:8-9.
Copyright 2010 by Rhonda J. Smith