The Lord your God is in your midst… he will quiet you by his love. – Zephaniah 3:17
If you have ever taken an anxious, crying baby into your arms, you may immediately know what to do to calm the infant. Sometimes, it is an immediate need: food or a diaper change. But, often, the cry is just the expression of the need to be comforted. You gently rock that precious little one back and forth, Perhaps you sing softly. You keep at it until anxieties are released and the child’s calm is restored.
The people of Judah in Zephaniah’s day were on a collision course with Babylon. Fear and anxiety were their everyday emotions. Rather than look to God for answers, they looked to the pagan nations around them. The Bible Project commentary states, “Their leaders, prophets, and priests are so corrupt, violent, and estranged from their God that He doesn’t even recognize them as His people anymore.” Zephaniah warns of coming judgment, calling on the people to repent. He told them God’s presence would be with them if they obeyed. In the face of judgment to come, Zephaniah still reminded the people of God’s deep love for them.
Pastor Chuck Swindoll urges, “Allow Zephaniah to remind you how seriously God takes your life and your relationship with Him. And if you have failed, remember the message of Zephaniah 3—God is always a God of restoration and hope.” The Apostle Peter reminds you to cast your anxiety on the Lord “because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Let the love found in God’s everlasting arms hold and comfort you in fearful and anxious times. Pray that Americans would return their focus to the Lord, His graciousness, love, and mercy.
Today’s Verse: Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Zephaniah 3:9-20
“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord
and serve him with one accord.
10 From beyond the rivers of Cush
my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones,
shall bring my offering.
11 “On that day you shall not be put to shame
because of the deeds by which you have rebelled against me;
for then I will remove from your midst
your proudly exultant ones,
and you shall no longer be haughty
in my holy mountain.
12 But I will leave in your midst
a people humble and lowly.
They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord,
13 those who are left in Israel;
they shall do no injustice
and speak no lies,
nor shall there be found in their mouth
a deceitful tongue.
For they shall graze and lie down,
and none shall make them afraid.”
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
so that you will no longer suffer reproach.
19 Behold, at that time I will deal
with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
20 At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,” says the Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
