SEARCHLIGHT
Do you ignore reading parts of the Bible because it makes you uncomfortable?
SCRIPTURE
“I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” says the Lord. “I will sweep away people and animals alike. I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish in the sea. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, and I will wipe humanity from the face of the earth,” says the Lord. Zephaniah 1:2,3 NLT
SPOTLIGHT
Perhaps it was at some form of a public gathering. A child became very belligerent, rebellious, and hostile because he/she did not get their way. The parent gave every opportunity for the child to apologize and change. However, the child continued to be disobedient until the parent said, “We will go now. When we get home, we will deal with your behavior.” As you thought about it, you realized that the parents had been wise and patient, yet firm. The child had been given every opportunity to change yet persisted in behaving in a totally unacceptable manner. Discipline was needed and warranted.
This picture is very similar to one given in the Bible. Over and over again, the Scriptures describe God, who is filled with love and mercy, but also warns of a time when He will have to punish unbelieving, rebellious people. The good and orderly world that God created will have become so bad and disorderly, that He will decide it should not continue. God will execute universal judgment on the whole world as He has previously warned. It will be needed and warranted.
In today’s Scripture focus, God spoke clearly to the prophet Zephaniah about future events that were going to occur. If people did not repent and return to worshiping the one true God, God declared that there would be a judgment on the entire world. It would be universal. No race would be excluded. Not even all animal life would be absolved. This day was coming because people had rebelled and rejected to worship and honor the one true God.
God’s vengeance was not due to “God losing it.” This was not going to be an emotional outburst of uncontrollable anger. No! God’s wrath would come only after ample opportunity will have been given to people to repent and return to worshiping God.
Do you have favorite parts of the Bible that you like to read? Are there some parts you tend to avoid? Many believers do not like to read the Old Testament, and particularly the prophetic books, because they speak of God bringing judgment on people. Believers argue that there is nothing edifying that comes from reading about God punishing and even destroying people. They do not like phrases such as “the wrath of the Lord,” or “the Lord’s anger.”
In today’s devotional, the prophetic book of Zephaniah is the focus. The phrase “the wrath of God,” is mentioned 4 times and “the Lord’s anger” is mentioned 3 times. Would you tend toward not reading this book because of its theme?
Books of the Bible should not be ignored just because they make you uncomfortable. Many believers just read the New Testament because it focuses on Jesus and His love and mercy. How unfortunate that people think the Old Testament focuses on “doom and gloom.” Little do they realize that the New Testament clearly describes in many books that there is a pending judgment coming from God in the future. Just read Matthew 23:34-36; 24:15-21; 25:41-6; Mark 13:14-20; Luke 21:20-24; Acts 5:1-11; 13:11; 12:21-23; Romans 1:18-2:16; Hebrews 10:26-31; James 2:13; 2 Peter 3:10; Jude 7,14,15; and Revelation 14:10-20; 19:15; 20:11-15.
Truths from God’s Word should not be denied because you do not fully understand them. Think about it. God’s judgment is spoken about by John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, Jude, and do not forget how often Jesus Christ mentioned it. John W. Wenham warned that Christians must be very careful to not yield to the temptation to “a “sentimentalizing of Jesus…this very Jesus uttered the most terrible warnings, not once or twice, but again and again.” [Wenham, The Goodness of God, p19,20]
DON’T IGNORE OR DENY GOD’S COMING JUDGMENTS. They will happen. Until then, let these prophetic warnings motivate you to pray that people will personally come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. And may these serious, God declared warnings, motivate you to share the Good News with people.
SOMETHING TO DO
Today’s Scripture focus, in Zephaniah, is a picture that is seen again and again in the New Testament. It is called the Great Tribulation. Take time to read all the above-mentioned Scriptures.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I do not want to ignore or deny anything You have said in Your Word. Teach me, Holy Spirit, why these warnings of judgment are given and empower me to share Your Good News. AMEN!