“What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime! No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the LORD or draw near to its God. Its leaders are like roaring lions hunting for their victims. Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time, who by dawn have left no trace of their prey. Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions. But the LORD is still there in the city, and he does no wrong. Day by day he hands down justice, and he does not fail. But the wicked know no shame.” Zephaniah 3:1-5 NLT
Passages like this give me hope as they clearly demonstrate God’s amazing love and “never give up on us” attitude! The spiritual state of the people of Jerusalem, depicted in these verses, is horrific; it mirrors that of a rebellious child unwilling to yield to the correction of her father. From the leadersip to the common man it appears no one is trusting God, and no one is doing the right thing. Yet God has not abandoned them!
“But the LORD is still there in the city, and he does no wrong. Day by day he hands down justice, and he does not fail…”
I love that! In our darkest, most rebellious times, even when we don’t listen to correction or trust God, we can be sure that “He is still there!” He does no wrong and He does not fail! The moment we turn to Him in repentance, humble ourselves and seek Him with all our hearts we will find that He is still there for us; willing to forgive and ready to restore us!
“I have destroyed nations; their strongholds are demolished. I have left their streets deserted, with no one passing through. Their cities are laid waste; they are deserted and empty. Of Jerusalem I thought, ‘Surely you will fear me and accept correction!’ Then her place of refuge would not be destroyed, nor all my punishments come upon her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did. Therefore wait for me,” declares the Lord, “for the day I will stand up to testify. I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them— all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger. “Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.” Zephaniah 3:6-9 NIV
God acknowledges, through this prophet and through the history of Isreal, that His people fall short time and time again. Even after all He does for us we still are prone to act corruptly. Check out what He says next! He will take responsibility for purifying us! “Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.” We can’t get it right, so He steps in and helps us. What a beautiful display of His mercy and grace. Because He purifies our lips, we then are able to call upon His name, to worship Him, and to serve Him together!
“On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord. They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies. A deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.” Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:11-17 NIV
If you struggle with sin, let this chapter of God’s word encourage you to fight hard and bring you hope. Sorrow always accompanies rebellion, but God’s love for you is very strong!