Christmastime is such a joyous time of year for so many people. This is the time we celebrate families with gift giving, parties, travel, and much more. We can see the good things in life, when we get together.
Unfortunately, many people do not have this same experience of this time of year. So many have felt loss and this time of year reminds them of this. There are also people who feel they are being punished in life by God.
The first two and a half chapters of the book of Zephaniah speak of pronouncing and impending judgement. His prophecies seem very similar to the prophet Jeremiah, the weeping prophet. But then, the tone completely shifts at the end with a message of hope and joy.
Click here to read Zephaniah 3:14-20.
When I read this short book in the Bible, I am reminded that we should not focus on the difficulties and disasters in our life.
“Rejoice and exult with all your heart…”
“The Lord has removed your judgement…”
“The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst;..”
“Don’t fear…”
Then God promises to “deliver,” “gather,” “change their shame into praise,” “bring all of you back,” “gather you,” “restore.”
God was speaking these to the Israelites; but this also speaks to us today. How? Jesus Christ.
We rejoice because God is in our midst through Jesus Christ. He has removed our sin and shame because of the cross and His resurrection. Jesus, our good shepherd, is gathering us in and leading us. We are filled with the Spirit of the Living God.
Christ coming in the world, changes everything. Will we allow Him in to change us once again?
O come, O come, Emmanuel.
R Y A N S T R A T T O N 