Zephaniah has scared me in the past. The first two chapters are about the judgment on the sinfulness of Israel, of all mankind. It’s called the Day of the Lord. Israel had done what they wanted to do; they were beginning to feel the effects of it. The time of pleasure in their sins was beginning to show its real face. Their hearts, minds and souls were to the point of desolation. This is a sad position. To feel desolation means to be entirely empty and alone within the heart and soul. Sins led them into captivity because they would not repent. God told them even in their desolation that the captivity and bondage would end with repentance. God promised regeneration when he is acknowledged by the asking of forgiveness. The book ends on a wonderful note of promise. WILL HE? WILL GOD? “I will!”
Zephaniah 3:16-20 “In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. (17) The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (18) I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden. (19) Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. (20) At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.”
In speaking of the Lord, notice how many times Zephaniah says “he will.” Then the passage switches gears. God says “I will.” I can tell you time and time again what God will do. It does no good if you don’t comprehend and hear and believe him. Spiritually speaking God stepped right up beside Zephaniah and echoed what he told them with “I will.” If you have any questions, God has the answers.
I could go on and on about it, but you know the condition of your own heart. Don’t be deceived by simply saying you’re saved. Dig deep. Ask yourself “am I right with God? Am I saved?” If you are saved, are you really living right? Are you experiencing desolation; is there emptiness? It can’t be filled in the world. You can’t run from it. You can’t drown it. You can’t ignore it. Israel had reason to worry, and so do we. God will judge sin and it will take us to a dark, terrible and empty eternity in hell. It will be because we hold on to the sin that makes us desolate to begin with. The same God who judges has provided the means of salvation. He says “I will.”
Can he? Will he? God doesn’t want us to go another day without him. He sent his Son to save us and to give us life and life more abundantly. It is a dark empty world around us. Verse 17 says God is in the midst. If not for God’s mercy we would not be here. He is the center of all creation. The fact that the sun came up this morning and we’re breathing just now proves that God is the center of creation. If we believe God can do all that, why can we not let him be the center of our own universe? When you’re by yourself, do you feel empty to the point of no hope? The Lord wants you to know he’s in the midst. I can’t get inside your mind or your heart and soul, but God can. In Me? Yes! In You!
Verse 17 also says he is mighty. God would be no good if he were not mighty. Satan will have you believe that God can’t do anything about your desolation. Don’t listen. God can do anything. He is the same God of Moses’ day, the same as in David’s day. He’s the same God that put Jesus in the womb of Mary. He will because HE CAN! Zephaniah also says “he will save.” The words are echoed in verse 19 when God says “I will save.” In verse 19 the Lord says “I will undo all that afflict thee.” Have you ever said to yourself “what a mess I’ve gotten myself into?” Have you felt you couldn’t get out? God takes all that afflicts us and undoes it. It’s like untying your shoe and pulling one of the strings wrong and ending up with a knot. God can undo the knots in your life.
In verse 19 God also says “I will save her that halteth.” This means to trip or fall. When we fall, God will catch us. Not only does he undo, he catches us when we do. God is on sturdy ground. We’re like Peter who was going under water. Jesus was walking on top. When Peter cried for the Lord to help him, Jesus caught him; he stopped him from falling. Sins will drive us farther away from God and closer to desolation and loneliness. If we’ll just ask, God will bring us back to where we belong.
I can’t reach you, but God can. Again in verse 19 the Lord says “I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.” What are you ashamed of? Are you ashamed to come to the Lord? He knows and still loves you. He gave himself for you on the cross of Calvary. He said if you ask “I will take away your shame and give you back your name.” About the first thing you felt after being saved was that the shame was gone. Paul says that whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. He didn’t wait. The shame was gone right before your eyes. It was not a process.
He will? God says “I will.” Take God at his word.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 