Zephaniah 3:14-20 NLT… Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! [15] For the LORD will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the LORD himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster. [16] On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! [17] For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” [18] “I will gather you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more. [19] And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed. [20] On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
Love – Love Lifted Me (Pulpit Manuscript/Devotional)
The prophets of old are split into two basic groups, pre and post exilic. Zephaniah is a pre-exilic prophet who offers a word of internal reflection, external punishment, and future joy. Our text is a reach into the future, which has embraced God’s forgiveness of the sin that has caused so much trouble in their lives. The future involves praise and adoration for a messiah who promises to save, sanctify, and secure humanity for all eternity, with the bonus of being present and active in their lives.
God be praised for hope that promises a brighter day, peace that surpasses mortal understanding, and for love that lavishes us with gifts, labors for us by grace, and lifts us out of sins angry waves. Love lifted me! (I was sinking…)That is Israel’s claim to fame, and it is our anthem of joy/it is our testimony because we have been through the test of life’s storms.
Advent is anticipation of the one who lifts us because God is love. Love is heaven’s Global Positioning System, and it finds us no matter where we are, or how low and lost we may be. Love is pure, passionate, and love always pushes us from where we are to where we ought to be. There is no greater force in the universe other than love. We must be willing to be loved, and be willing to love ourselves and others. Love is the cure to what ails humanity, and love can rid us of the trouble that creates chaos and calamity.
What the world needs now, right now, is love sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. But as heaven’s herald this morning, I have come with good news, love is coming, and yes love is here and love will never leave. Emmanuel is God with us, and that is love that is void of logic, but so full of life, passion, and a bright future. This my friends, is the word of the Lord. Embrace it.
Antonie E. Walker Ministries 