Zephaniah 3

God is and He lives in the heart of those who believe in Him and place their trust in Him. God's children do not always do what is right and just. There are those who are haughty and full of pride. There are those who oppress the poor and needy. There are those who feel they are entitled to all His blessings and above His correction. His ways are not ours. He cares for all people, all His creation. He will not always tolerate man's hatred for man. We will be humbled. As Christians we need to care about all people. As Christians we need to be His arms of peace and love to the innocent victims of the times that we live in. We need to seek His direction and obey His voice. We need to place our total trust in Him and His ability to change us. Let us pray that now, this day, we can hear His voice, stop the politics and work together to turn our nation, our families, our churches, and ourselves back to Him. If we have been forgiven so much, how can we not forgive others? If God sacrificed His Son for the likes of us, why can we not sacrifice our time and money for others? If God wants that no one perish why can we not be His hands to reach out to all peoples. There should be no prejudice or hatred in God's family. Do you honestly believe that He made a mistake in creation? He created ALL….think about it… all peoples and all nations were created by Him, who are you to question Him? Woe to us who make mammon our god.

3 Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted,

To the oppressing city!

2 She has not obeyed His voice,

She has not received correction;

She has not
trusted in the Lord,

She has not drawn near to her God.

5 The Lord is righteous in her midst,

He will do no unrighteousness.

Every morning He brings His justice to light;

He never fails,

But the unjust knows no shame.

7 I said, 'Surely you will fear Me,

You will receive instruction'—

So that her dwelling would not be cut off,

Despite everything for which I punished her.

But they rose early and corrupted all their deeds.

8 "Therefore wait for Me," says the Lord,

"Until the day I rise up for plunder;

My determination is to gather the nations

To My assembly of kingdoms,

To pour on them My indignation,

All My fierce anger;

All the earth shall be devoured

With the fire of My jealousy.

9 "For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language,

That they all may call on the name of the Lord,

To serve Him with one accord.

11 In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds

In which you
transgress against Me;

For then I will take away from your midst

Those who rejoice in your pride,

And you shall no longer be haughty

In My holy mountain.

12 I will leave in your midst

A meek and humble people,

And they shall trust in the
name of the Lord.

13 The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness

And speak no lies,

Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;

For they shall feed their flocks and lie down,

And no one shall make them afraid."

14 Sing, O daughter of Zion!

Shout, O Israel!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,

O daughter of Jerusalem!

15 The Lord has taken away your judgments,

16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:

"Do not fear;

Zion, let not your hands be weak.

17 The Lord your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."

18 "I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly,

Who are among you,

To whom its reproach is a burden.

19 Behold, at that time

I will deal with all who afflict you;

I will save the lame,

And gather those who were driven out;

I will appoint them for praise and fame

In every land where they were put to shame.

The NKJ study Bible puts it this way:

Jerusalem had become a center of oppression, rebellion, and apostasy. It would soon be marked by destruction. The expression of grief is reflective of God's own heart. The princes, judges, prophets, and priests, whom God had especially designated to work for righteousness, were more wicked than the "regular" citizens of Jerusalem. These leaders were destroying and defrauding the weak, the needy, and the helpless. God's punishment of Judah's neighbors should have brought the people to their senses. God's response to the wickedness of Jerusalem was to declare His judgment. He would use other nations to punish the city for its rebellion. The focus of the text moves to a time of national regeneration and restoration. . One day human language will become a unifying element in the true worship of God. God's people would come from all nations to worship Him. The people are first commanded to abstain from fear, to keep from hanging their arms in a posture of resignation. Instead, they were to take encouragement and strength from the new reality that their God lived among them. God is going to make all things right. Those who are enemies of God's truth will be gathered and removed; those who are disenfranchised, God will restore. God promised blessing, honor, and a renowned name, so here God promises fame and praise to each individual in His family. Says the Lord: This is a solemn vow of God to do what He has promised. The implication is clear: "Listen and live!"