Today’s Reading – Zephaniah 3
But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall take refuge in the name of Jehovah. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. Jehovah hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the King of Israel, even Jehovah, is in the midst of thee; thou shalt not fear evil any more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not; O Zion, let not thy hands be slack. Jehovah thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing. (Zephaniah 3:12-17 ASV)
Those not taken in the captivity didn’t have it easy when the enemy left. They were mostly poor farmers who lived in isolated areas and it was too much trouble to round them up and the enemy viewed them as lower class and of no use to them. Yet, Zephaniah says that God views them differently. He sees them as those who are a pure people now and devoted to Him. They should rejoice in God’s care, provision and protection.
Application to me – Do you ever feel like you are a remnant? Left out of the crowd that you really want to be a part. Sometimes, we forget that what we don’t have is God’s blessing in our life. He might be sparing us the consequences of a poor decision and we don’t know it.
Warren Weeks – December 19, 2013
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