ZEPHANIAH 2:3

The prophetic Word dramatically depicts the terrific destruction that will sweep the world in the day of God’s wrath. It is called not only a day of wrath but also a day of trouble and distress – a day of darkness and gloominess – a day of clouds and thickness. This is exactly how the prophet Zephaniah describes it in Zephaniah 1: 14 – 18. He also makes it vividly clear that material wealth will not be able to save any from the divine wrath (Zephaniah 1: 18). He states it this way “Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath…” He further reveals “In the fire of his jealousy, the whole world will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth” (v. 18).

In our spirits, as we come to the end of another most eventful year, we can surely feel and sense that we are coming closer to the end of the end of the ages. We know that all things are not going to continue as they have been according to the divine script. Now more than ever the church must sound the alarm! We cannot disengage now or slacken our riding or become Laodicean in the practice of our faith and religion. In fact, to the contrary, we gladly receive the rebuke and chastening of the Lord and proactively do as he instructed the Laodicean church to do “… Be zealous therefore and repent” (Revelation 3: 19). We not only repent but we do so with much zealousness. We hasten to repent.

Even though Zephaniah’s pronouncement of judgment upon Judah was imminent, he also intimated there was still time to be sheltered from impending doom if the nation would only repent (2: 3). The same communication must be imparted today with as much force and energy. It declares “Seek the Lord, all ye humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger” (2: 3 NIV).

We close out this year, 2024, seeking more of God’s face and favor. We seek Him with greater intensity and fervor. We seek to draw ever closer to Him. We remain so grateful for the extension of every gracious mercy and kindness towards us. We seek more righteousness! We desire to be more godly in an increasingly godless society. We seek more humility and justice. We desperately desire more of His power and manifestations of the miraculous in our daily lives and operations. We earnestly ask Him to undo all that afflicted us in 2024. We repent of our inclinations to worldliness. We simply seek more of God! We fully embrace again our New Testament heritage! We renounce our worldly ways! We repent and turn back to righteousness!