The Book of ZephaniahSample

Restored and Rejoicing

At the end of his prophecy, Zephaniah encourages God’s people to be glad: they no longer face God’s judgment, so they’re called to rejoice with all their hearts, knowing they’ve been fully restored and purified. God’s invitation to His people is an insistent call to celebration. He’s urging them to sing, shout aloud, be glad – because He has taken away their punishment, He has turned back their enemies, He is with them, and they need no longer be afraid. This tender moment between God and His people reminds us they were once far off, but He has brought them back into His family. They’ve been purified, having turned away from their idolatry, and now they call on His name. Amazingly, we get to speak this call-to-celebration over our own lives and circumstances because God has taken away our punishment, too, through Jesus.

Zephaniah 3:16–17 reads, ‘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.’ Someone’s hands hanging limp was a sign of despair and anxiety, often as an enemy approached. Now, God’s people didn’t need to let their hands hang limp, because He had given them victory. In the same way, God is with us! He fights for us, saves us, delights in us, and rejoices over us with singing. We no longer have a reason to be afraid. We can live with an assurance of forgiveness, peace, and God’s presence.

Zephaniah also reveals how active God is in His people’s lives. He removes, deals with, rescues, gathers, brings home… God is constantly at work in your life too. If you’re a Christian, God has taken great delight in rescuing you. It’s His deep joy to purify you from all your rebellion and give you a place in His family. He’s glad you’re here. He longs for you to experience His best life for you. He’s not some distant deity. This is God who humbled Himself, becoming like us so He could save us. He’s like the loving father in the story Jesus told, who isn’t reluctant to extend mercy to his wayward son but runs towards him, welcoming him. God isn’t begrudgingly merciful (like He’s doing you a massive favour and you owe Him big time). Rather, He’s excited to rush towards you with mercy.

Give thanks that God is with you by His Holy Spirit living in you. He saves you fully and freely from all your sin. He takes great delight in you. He loves you unwaveringly and unconditionally. He will no longer rebuke you. He rejoices over you with singing. Give yourself permission to revel in these truths! And look forward with joyful expectation to your heavenly home where you’ll be free from evil and perfectly at peace in the presence of the King.

This reading plan was adapted from the video series, The Book of Zephaniah, on RightNow Media. To find out more, visit https://www.rightnowmedia.org/uk/get-access.