Readings
Psalm 118, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Acts 10:34-46 and Romans 1:1-7
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.’ ‘I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you. At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honour in every land where they have suffered shame. At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honour and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,’ says the Lord.
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Reflection
Zephaniah might not be the first person on your invite list for a party when you read most of his book. This is a short book, not easy to read and Zephaniah unleashes crushing condemnation on Israel and surrounding nations. Reading the book you may notice many shifts and changes and there is judgement upon the whole of humanity as a consequence of its wickedness and worship of false idols. A familiar message from many of the prophets.
Into this harshness of hopeless despair comes a change when Gods people are asked to rejoice , celebrate and rest in his love. What a change! What happened to Zephaniah—perhaps a party invite might be alright after all. “Into a world where hope was lost, came the light”, the words of a more modern hymn echoes true here.
Such contrast, and we know that into a world of pain came the joyful exuberance of light and hope. We rejoice in a God who loves, steps in and shapes this broken world—our broken world, every fragmented part of it.
Prayers
Light of light, Lord of Lords and King of Kings in excitement we approach the dawn.
Re-awaken in us the Spirit of grace and mercy that we may receive you once again.
Bring peace to those who are in distress, peace where there is hatred.
Re-awaken in us the Spirit of grace and mercy that we may receive you once again.
Bring peace to those who are in distress, peace where there is hatred.
In your saving name Amen
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