“They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.” (Zephaniah 3:13)

There are days when violence and evil can overpower us, leaving us without hope and terrified. In ancient times, the people of Judah experienced this. They were overrun by ferocious armies and unable to imagine any possibility of escape. Fear consumed them. However, God always renewed His unrelenting presence with His people. “The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you far any harm.” Even when our catastrophes result from our own rebellion, God still comes to our rescue. “The Lord your God is with you,” we hear, “the Mighty Warrior who saves.”

Daily Questions

1. What is your greatest fear right now?
2. How does God’s promise to be with you encourage you?

Daily Thoughts

Mighty Warrior God, we nee You. We need a Mighty Warrior to stand with us and overwhelm our fears

Zpehaniah 3: 9-17

“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. From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings. 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; should 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 a great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Bonus Information

Zephaniah wrote during the time of the reforms initiated by Josiah, the last good king of Judah. Josiah had rediscovered the “Book of the Law” and had it read aloud to the people of Judah. Perhaps this is why Zephaniah directly echoes many of the themes of Deuteronomy. Zephaniah prophesies that God will initiate the judgments Deuteronomy warned of. But He will also initiate their repentance: “Then I will purify the lips of the people”; “I will remove from you your arrogant boasters”. God’s judgment purifies His people.”