“On that day you shall not be put to shame because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD, those who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!”
Zephaniah 3:11–14, ESV
Zephaniah gave his prophecy of destruction and promise at a time when King Josiah was bringing reform into Judah. The Jewish people were giving up their idol worship, and a revival was coming to the faith. I am certain these words were scoffed at and looked upon as being overly judgmental. “What do you mean, Zephaniah? We haven’t had such a faithful return in generations! Look at all we have given up, and all that is being done!” God sees all and knows all. Though the nation was returning, He knew that their hearts were not fully with Him. When did the restoration come? It’s coming. Jesus came to begin the restoration. His sacrifice was to cleanse and bring in. We are being called to Him, and His chosen are being drawn in, but we await the fullness of this Word. Fulfillment has not yet come, but we know that it will. The prophets have foretold that day, but we are not to know the date. We only can see the shadows of it. We can only hear the whispers of our Lord. Our Lord calls us to humble ourselves. We are meant to set aside our own pride for the sake of Him as we sing out His praises. We await the New Jerusalem, where God will be in the midst of His chosen people, and we will all stand as priests before Him in the Holy of Holies. All the nations will be cleaved with God’s chosen. Those faithful from His people of Israel will enter with those grafted into the promise through Jesus Christ. Messiah has come, and His people know His name as it is written upon their hearts and will be visible on their foreheads. No more will there be separation, but we will stand as His people united in the faith that He promised ever in His glory! In His glory, we shall sing! May that song resonate in your hearts and draw you closer to the Lord.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.