July 8 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Zephaniah 3:8-20:

⁸Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
⁹For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
¹⁰From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.
¹¹In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.
¹²I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
¹³The 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.
¹⁴Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
¹⁵The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
¹⁶In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
¹⁷The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
¹⁸I will gather them that are sorrowful for the solemn assembly, who are of thee, to whom the reproach of it was a burden.
¹⁹Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.
²⁰At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

Devotional

Zephaniah prophesied in the days of Josiah, king of Judah. Zephaniah means Jehovah hides. Josiah was a good king; but Manasseh and Amon before him were very wicked, and the people served false gods. God gave time to repent, but then the storm of God's judgments would break upon the people. Then the people of God, the remnant of Israel, would have need of a hiding place, which God graciously provided. "I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord." God always has a remnant. He shows mercy in the midst of judgment. He sends his Word unto them. He says, "Then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord." Isaiah says, "Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah." The poor and afflicted trust in the name of Jehovah, not in themselves. He hides them in his pavilion. Christ "lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God." "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity .... they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid." No wonder we read; "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem .... The King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more." "Be­hold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."

Prayer

O God, thou God of our salvation, we thank Thee that in the storms of life Thou dost hide us under the shadow of Thy wings, where no evil can befall us. We pray, help us to trust in Thee; compass us about with Thy mercy. Bring us safely to our heavenly home to dwell with Thee, with all the saints, and with them to praise Thy name for ever. For Jesus' sake. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Heb. 12:25; Zeph. 3:9; Isa. 1:9; Ps. 27:5; Luke 6:20; Zeph. 3:13-15; Rev. 21:3.

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