Day 216 - Delighting in God (Zephaniah 2-3, 2 Chronicles 35:20-27, 2 Kings 23:29-30, Jeremiah 47-48) - Year 2
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TODAY'S READING:

• Zephaniah 2-3, 2 Chronicles 35:20-27, 2 Kings 23:29-30, Jeremiah 47-48

WORD OF THE DAY:

-  Delight

Today’s reading traverses the intense prophecies of Zephaniah and Jeremiah, illustrating God’s judgment against various nations and His call for repentance. Despite the impending doom, there is a profound message of God’s delight and love for His people.

Zephaniah begins with prophecies against Moab, Ammon, Ethiopia, and Assyria, predicting their utter ruin. This is followed by a stern warning to Jerusalem about its rebellion and the impending judgment. Yet, amidst this, Zephaniah also prophesies a future purification and unification of all people for worship.

Zephaniah 3:8: “For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy.”

Zephaniah’s message reaches a poignant climax with a promise of God’s presence and delight in His people.

Zephaniah 3:17: “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Jeremiah’s prophecies against the Philistines and Moab depict total destruction due to their pride and idolatry. Yet, Jeremiah also offers a glimmer of hope, promising restoration in the latter days.

Jeremiah 47:6: “Now, O sword of the LORD, when will you be at rest again? Go back into your sheath; rest and be still.”

Delight, the word of the day, means great pleasure.

I love that in the middle of all these prophecies of destruction, we find this message of God’s delight. What does God take delight in? Us!

Zephaniah 3:17 has been a source of comfort and joy for me. Growing up without a loving father figure, I saw God as an overbearing judge rather than a loving Father. This verse transformed my perspective:

- God is my mighty savior, always ready to help and save me.

- He takes delight in me with gladness, not just putting up with me.

- He calms my fears, inviting me to turn to Him when I am afraid.

- He rejoices over me with joyful songs, like a loving Father singing lullabies over His child.

These verses in Zephaniah are a bright spot amidst many messages of destruction. So, what can we delight in? The “sword of the Lord.”

The “sword of the Lord” in Jeremiah 47 represents divine judgment, but in Hebrews and Ephesians, the “sword” represents the Word of God:

Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

This sword is a tool of judgment and discernment, highlighting God’s authority and power. And this is something we can delight in!

God is a God of judgment, but for those who have become His children, we can experience the tender and loving side of God, too. And this should bring us delight!

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