Mighty to Save, Zephaniah part 2

In chapter 2 of Zephaniah, our prophet/worship leader spreads the word to the people:

3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the LORD's anger. (Zeph. 2:3)

Everyone else who does not humble themselves and do what the Lord says, they will be destroyed. If you read chapter two, you will see that this path isn't pleasant at all.

In chapter 2, Zephaniah describes the wickedness:

2 She obeys no one,
she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the LORD,
she does not draw near to her God.

3 Her officials are roaring lions,
her rulers are evening wolves,
who leave nothing for the morning.

4 Her prophets are arrogant;
they are treacherous men.
Her priests profane the sanctuary
and do violence to the law. (Zeph. 3:2-4)

These people didn't obey anyone and did not want to be corrected. Worst of all, they did not draw near to God. I know I've fallen into these categories at various times of my life.

Contrast the people to our Lord:

5 The LORD within her is righteous;
he does no wrong.
Morning by morning he dispenses his justice,
and every new day he does not fail,
yet the unrighteous know no shame. (Zeph. 3:5)

We are not able to look to anyone and know for sure they will never fail. I've personally seen great men and women of God fail and I know you have, too. Isn't it great to know that our God never ever fails? He is ever-faithful.

Verse 7 shows us the people being given another opportunity to correct their ways but they still didn't change and God doesn't lie. If He says there will be punishment, we better believe there will be.

We've been promised Heaven but Hell is also waiting for occupants. Everyone will have some place to go.

All the prideful and haughty will be punished but in verse 12 Zephaniah says that the meek and humble, the ones who trust in the Lord, will be left.

So we've seen punishment being promised and the faithful being rewarded. This is where Zephaniah 3:17 comes in:

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

This small book is packed with a punch. It certainly confirms our need to come to know the Lord as our Savior and trust Him with all that is in us and then some:) It shows us the day of the Lord will be a day of judgment, for sure. Are you ready?