“I will sweep away everything
from the face of the earth,”
declares the Lord.
“I will sweep away both man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds in the sky
and the fish in the sea—
and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.” (Zeph 1:2-3a NIV)
Just imagine, for a minute, God with a big broom sweeping clean the earth. That's the picture Zephaniah provides this morning. The prophecy is a warning to those who worship false idols. It is a warning to those who worship false gods as well as feign to worship God. It is also a warning to those who are complacent; to those who think that God might be complacent.
"At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing,
either good or bad.’" (Zeph 1:12)
There is only one God, either we are for Him or against Him. There is no in between. Therefore; worship the one true God with your whole hearts, soul, and mind. Do not be distracted by the pleasures the false gods would tease you with, which end up being not pleasures; but, troubles. For many years, I believed that to say that "I believe" was enough to save me. But, saying something isn't necessarily believing it with our whole hearts, minds, and souls. Complacency and sitting on the fence is about as useful to salvation as non-belief. At least that is the conclusion I came to for myself years ago, after reading, in the Revelation of St. John, the letter to the church in Laodicea.
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." (Rev 3:14:19)
from the face of the earth,”
declares the Lord.
“I will sweep away both man and beast;
I will sweep away the birds in the sky
and the fish in the sea—
and the idols that cause the wicked to stumble.” (Zeph 1:2-3a NIV)
Just imagine, for a minute, God with a big broom sweeping clean the earth. That's the picture Zephaniah provides this morning. The prophecy is a warning to those who worship false idols. It is a warning to those who worship false gods as well as feign to worship God. It is also a warning to those who are complacent; to those who think that God might be complacent.
"At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, ‘The Lord will do nothing,
either good or bad.’" (Zeph 1:12)
There is only one God, either we are for Him or against Him. There is no in between. Therefore; worship the one true God with your whole hearts, soul, and mind. Do not be distracted by the pleasures the false gods would tease you with, which end up being not pleasures; but, troubles. For many years, I believed that to say that "I believe" was enough to save me. But, saying something isn't necessarily believing it with our whole hearts, minds, and souls. Complacency and sitting on the fence is about as useful to salvation as non-belief. At least that is the conclusion I came to for myself years ago, after reading, in the Revelation of St. John, the letter to the church in Laodicea.
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." (Rev 3:14:19)
Maybe, it's time to consider whether the church on earth (we) has become complacent. Are we sitting on the fence?
May the God of all grace and glory fill us with a desire to worship and serve Him above all others.
God's Peace - Pr. J.
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