Daily Devotions
Zephaniah
"'Therefore wait for Me,' says the LORD"
Text: Zephaniah 3:8
FUTURE JUDGMENT REVEALED
God had revealed and proclaimed His judgment on various individual nations. He summarized what He was going to do ultimately.
“‘Therefore wait for Me,’ says the LORD,
‘Until the day I rise up for plunder;
My determination is to gather the nations
To My assembly of kingdoms,
To pour on them My indignation,
All My fierce anger;
All the earth shall be devoured
With the fire of My jealousy.'”
Zephaniah 3:8
1. Future implications
a) This text was relevant with reference to the expression of God’s judgment.
b) But it also has reference to a future reality.
2. “‘Therefore wait for Me,’ says the LORD”
a) The challenge is to comprehend this word of warning.
b) And to patiently wait for the Lord’s will to unfold.
3. “My determination”
The determination of God (His will) revealed:
a) He will gather the nations.
b) They may be called “(His) assembly of kingdoms”.
4. The Judgment of God
a) To pour out His indignation.
b) To express His fierce anger.
5. Terrifying consequences
a) All the earth shall be devoured.
b) The reasons are obvious:
i) Man’s increase of sins.
ii) No repentance of wickedness.
iii) Rejection of the Lord.
iv) Pursuit of evil.
6. The fire of My jealousy
The focus here is the problem of idolatry and all its attending wickedness. In God’s righteous jealousy, He will destroy all wicked idolatrous practices.