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Today is our first Sunday worship in the month of February. During my last sermon we read from 1 Corinthians 6:20, which says, “You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” My hope for this new year is to do all things for the glory of God. I want to start each day giving thanks to God. As I wash dishes in the morning, I thank him that I can move my hands and feet. As I continue moving around the house, I pray that I can live the day ahead together with God. Every morning, I pray that I can give glory back to Him.
Let us recall what we have been reading. From the book of Joel we learned about the day of the Lord, which is the day of God’s judgment that will come upon each of us. Both the people of God as well as people of all nations will be judged. But it is also a day when those who repent will be blessed.
Last month we learned from the book of Obadiah that the day of the Lord will reveal people who have been chosen by God as well as people who will be destroyed. One big difference between them is whether they have shown brotherly love towards others. Therefore, if we love Jesus, we should show the same love towards other people. To help those in trouble, to visit those who are sick. We should do these small things if we truly love Jesus. God sees the love we have for our neighbors. In addition, we learned from the book of Obadiah that God judged the nation of Edom because of its pride. In its pride, Edom failed to show brotherly love. We learned that is why the nation faced God’s judgment. Obadiah verse 15 says, “The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” Therefore, we should each examine our walk, live rightly before God, and revere Him. That is the challenge we received from the book of Obadiah.
Our main Scripture for today is Zephaniah 2:3. “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.” Seek the Lord, seek righteousness, seek humility. May we take this Word to heart. As believers living in the end times, let us humble ourselves before God, continually seek him, and seek righteousness and meekness. May we desire to walk this way.
The book of Zephaniah also contains the theme of the day of the Lord. Let’s look at a few verses which talk about this theme. Chapter 1 verse 7: “Be silent before the Sovereign Lord, for the day of the Lord is near.
The Lord has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.” The day of the Lord is also a day of consecration for his people. During Zephaniah’s time, people prepared to meet God by sacrificing an animal to purify themselves from sin; only then could they stand before him. Let’s not forget that as believers we are consecrated by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. Jesus’ disciples began to have worship on Sundays, as Jesus was raised from the dead on a Sunday, and they considered it the Lord’s Day. The Lord’s Day is a day that is consecrated, or set apart, for worship.
Next, Zephaniah 1:14 says, “The great day of the Lord is near—near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.” That great day is described further in verse 15, “That day will be a day of wrath—a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness . . .” It is a day when God’s righteous judgment will be executed. For some people, it will be a day of wrath, suffering, and darkness. I believe it will come. And because of that, I’m praying for the leaders of this world and for Japan’s leaders. May they come revere the true God and make sound judgments and govern their country well.
Next, verse 18 says, “‘Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath.’ In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.” Our gold and silver will be useless. They will not save people from the Lord’s wrath. Furthermore, on that day, the fire of his jealousy will consume everything. From the word “jealousy,” we can understand that God loves us passionately and wants to live with us. However, we stray from God and live in a self-centered way; and therefore his wrath, which is born of love and jealousy, comes upon us. The day of the Lord is surely coming nearer. On that day, God will ask each of us how we have lived.
Zephaniah also says this to us: in chapter 2, verses 1 and 2, “Gather together, gather yourselves together, you shameful nation, before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you.” Verse 3 says, “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.” On that day, some will surely be rescued. They will be sheltered from the wrath of God. Even though it is the day of the Lord’s anger, it will be a day of blessing for some. If you have accepted the Lord as your Savior you will surely be saved. Because your salvation was paid for by Jesus Christ on the Cross. As we read previously, there will also be those who are destroyed because of their pride. It’s a harsh reality that we must accept. Let us continue to gather together to offer thanks and worship to God, coming with a meek heart and humility.
Zephaniah 2:10 says, “This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the Lord Almighty.” The Lord will surely judge those who fail to be humble, who insult and mock the people of God. Whereas God will preserve those who believe in the Lord and live humbly. Once again, God will judge those who are proud and do not show brotherly love. We see this clearly in the events of history. Zephaniah 2:13 gives the example of Nineveh, capital city of Assyria. The imagery shows that until then the beautiful city of Nineveh has been a home to flocks and herds. But all who pass by will mock and shake their fist at this city. So which will we choose for ourselves? As for me, I have resolved to trust in God no matter what happens. To live together with Jesus and give thanks for his salvation. I want to be humble, not proud.
As I mentioned earlier, I start the day by washing dishes. Standing in the kitchen I pray, “God, thank you for giving me another day of life. I can move my fingers. I can move my arms and legs. I can move my whole body. I’m so thankful. May I use this body to live with you, God.” I pray that I can give glory to Him through this day.
Zephaniah 3:12 says, “But I will leave within you the meek and humble. The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord.” The Shinkaiyaku translation describes the meek and humble as people who have nowhere to turn to. Only God is their refuge. If so, it is not entirely bad to seem weak and poor. Because then, we can only rely on God. 3:13 says, “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.” God provides daily for and protects those who trust in him, revere him, and are humble. This is a promise of Scripture and what we believe.
Zephaniah 3:17 says, “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.” God receives those who desire to live a life of trusting him and delights over them. For the Scripture says, “He will take great delight in you.” Brothers and sisters, let us seek the Lord, seek righteousness, and seek humility. Even if we have no other refuge, God will walk with us.
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