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Monday, December 2, 2013

December 2

Zephaniah 3:14-17
Sing, Daughter Zion;
shout 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 great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Sing my daughter and shout with joy!  God is asking his precious daughter, the nation of Israel whom He has watched go through the ups and downs of life - rejecting Him then begging forgiveness only to reject Him once more, to rejoice in the forgiveness of sin.  Israel is still in the period of waiting and watching for the promised Messiah and God renews hope through Zephaniah’s prophetic anticipation.  

I can hear Zephaniah’s voice ringing out to the the people gathered around - strong and steady, full of passion.  God has had mercy on us!  He has forgiven us and taken away our punishment!  The Lord is victorious, He has pushed your enemy away!  Do not be lazy, do not waste time.  


Just as Israel rejected God then begged forgiveness I too have treated God that way.  They were looking and hoping for the promised Messiah.  I have the blessing of the Messiah living in my life, washing me with his blood, forgiving my sins.  As Israel was looking toward the coming of the promised Messiah, I am looking toward the promised return of the Messiah.

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