Title: Jehovah with Us/Zep 3:13-20
Contents
Zep 3:13-20 Jehovah is with us
At the Last Supper, Jesus said to his fearful disciples, “It is to your advantage that I go away, and when I go, I will send the Counselor to you.” He promised to be with you until the end of the world. God is always with us. We can clearly see this in the text of the book of Zephaniah. Through the prophet Zephaniah, God pointed out and rebuked Israel for their sins and told them that they would be judged for their sins and would be taken into captivity, and that He would restore them. Today's text is the promise of that restoration. Through these words, I hope that you will be blessed by looking at how Jehovah God is working among us now.
I. God who takes away punishment and drives out enemies
Verse 15 says, “The Lord has taken away your punishment, and has cast out your enemies… ” he says. It means that He will remove the punishment from eternal death and punishment, suffering and curses on this earth, and the oppression of Satan and the enemy, and drive out the enemy. Paul declares in Romans 8, “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” To give this grace, the Lord suffered on the cross. For this spiritual authority, the Lord rose and ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit is with us to enjoy this wonderful privilege. Thus, in Jesus, we are freed from the penalty of sin. Now the enemy is cast out before the name of Jesus.
God has already shown this grace through the Old Testament city of refuge system. He set up cities of refuge so that people could easily find them in six places, three on the west and east of the Jordan. When someone accidentally killed someone, according to the laws of that time, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a life for life” were to be repaid. However, if the man who killed a man by his negligence escaped immediately and seized the horn of the altar in the city of refuge, he was brought out so that he could not be killed. He made sure that the sinner who was supposed to die took refuge in the city of refuge and that no one could kill him while he was holding on to the horns of the altar. Solomon's adversary, Adonijah, was also spared death by fleeing to the city of refuge when Solomon ascended to the throne. This system is a model that previews the grace of salvation and life that we will enjoy through the cross of Jesus Christ. Lord with us, we ask you to believe and be sure of this wonderful grace in the Holy Spirit you have sent.
II. God will never let you be angry again
Look at the last part of verse 15. “The LORD King of Israel is with you, and you will not fear woe again.” Our King, the LORD, is with you, so that woe will never happen again. So he says there is no need to be afraid. But are there one or two things in life that you are afraid of and are concerned about? People are anxious and afraid when they hear the same horrific news as they are now. Even if it's not that big of a problem, I'm terrified and neurotic because of concerns about my health, my job, my business, and my family. So even if no one is chasing you, you live your life as if you are being chased. This anxiety and neurosis makes the body and mind sick.
Everyone! Are you afraid of anything? Are you weighed down by anxiety and worry? Please remember the saying that if God is with us, He will never be hurt again, and let go of those worries and fears. The Lord says “Do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, for I am with you, and I will help you … I will hold you,” he promises. The Lord is our King. Don't let your hands hang down. Don't walk around numb with sagging shoulders. The Lord will never let you be angered again. Be energized.
Ⅲ. The God Who Offers Salvation and Loves Silently
Zephaniah confesses to the God of Israel that he is “the Almighty” (7). What does it mean to be Almighty? It means ‘the one who cannot do anything’, which means that there is nothing that cannot be done. He is with us and provides salvation. Man-made idols are vain things. They have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear. Even if you have hands, you can't help. How can man-made ideas, humanistic philosophies, and religions be compared to the ‘Almighty who will give salvation’? The God who saves us and does not overcome joy over us is with us. He loves us quietly and rejoices over us with joyful singing. God loves us, but He does not make a fuss about us, but He loves us secretly, silently, and deeply. Are there any parents who love their children and be kind to them? It is, of course, a to-do. Parents are happy and happy in themselves to love their children. God loves us that way. He loves you silently, in silence, and in truth.
Jesus showed that love when he came to this earth. He knew the pain of the hungry and knew the pain of the sick. The Lord Himself suffered human weakness and suffering. He fed the hungry and touched the wounds of the leper. As we pass through Lent, let's meditate on the Lord who loves us so quietly. The culmination of this silent love is the cross. The Lord who quietly went to Jerusalem like sheep shearing to take up the cross, who suffered scornfully, ridiculed, and suffered bitter persecution and pain, but still suffered those sufferings, the love of God was confirmed on the cross of that Lord. Do you believe that the Lord still loves you quietly? Because there is a Lord who quietly loves us, who are lacking and weak, full of mistakes and faults, don't we believe in Him and make a commitment to devotion again today?
IV. The God Who Gives You Fame and Praise
In verses 19 and 20, God promises to make you praise and fame among all the peoples under the heavens. How encouraging and comforting to say that you will gain praise and fame from those who are reviled all over the world! God, who pointed out and rebuked Israel through Zephaniah, restores their praise and reputation in front of the lowly people when he restores the captives in return. May this grace be with you. The early church members gained praise and fame from the world for their lives that loved the Lord despite all kinds of persecution. Consider the churches today. Even though they boast of good buildings, splendid worship, money, honor, and many people with positions and powers, aren't they not getting praise and fame before God and people? Our church wants to be a church that gets the same praise and reputation as the early church.
The Lord with us is the One who takes away punishment and drives out enemies. He is the one who makes us never to be angry again. He is the Almighty who can save us, and He loves us quietly. So, in the end, he is the one who makes us praise and fame among all peoples. I hope that it will be a week to remember, praise, and rejoice in this God.