Tuesday, December 31, 2019

He is mighty to save

Zephaniah 3:1-20
Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled! She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lordshe does not draw near to her God.
The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrongMorning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail, yet the unrighteous know no shame.
Of Jerusalem, I thought,  Surely you will fear me and accept correction!’ Then her place of refuge would not be destroyed nor all my punishments come upon her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did.
The Lord your God is with youthe Mighty Warrior who saves (he is mighty to save)He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
At that time I will gather youat that time I will bring you homeI will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes." says the Lord.
The 'tyrant city, filthy and foul' is none other than Jerusalem! Beginning with rebellion against God, and the corruption of religion, the rot spreads into every sector of society. In the end, God has no alternative but to wipe the city out.
But that is not the end of the story, Zwphanish has already spoken of 'survivors' and ' remnant'. Now he enlarges on God's purpose for the humble, faithful dew who will remain when all human pride and self-sufficiency are done away and the nation is purged and purified.
There is a cause for great rejoicing. God is in the midst of his people, protecting and keeping them sage, pouring out his love on them. Israel will no longer do wrong. With exultant songs, they will be brought home and restored to favor. All the nations of the world will share in this as they come to worship God.
Why?
God is mighty to save, no one of his people will fall, but all of the oppressors, rebellious and defiled people will be ruined.
God keeps some of his people humble and honors his name to be the inheritance of His kingdom.
Praise to the Lord for God is good to his people, no matter what the Lord did are for his people good.
背逆的人有禍了。首領、審判官在他們該做的職務上嚴重失職。先知、祭司也聖俗不分,強解律法,不說上帝的話。這四種人是重要的,何況百姓。
神用審判外邦人的方法懲罰以色列人。神提出警告,但是百姓卻看不懂神的作為。神讓我們看見的每一件事都可以對我們說話。當我們願意謙卑、降服於神,我們就會懂。我們是否活出來與神的福音相稱?
等候神的發怒是給相信敬畏神的人說的,要等候神審判的日子。
列國被審判後是完全破碎後重新建造一個新的。我們必須完全脫去舊人,才能成為新人。正當必須脫下樹衣,才能穿上神給的皮衣。
審判的目的除了摧毀以外,還要人歸回神、更新生命。這是神的工作: 讓人死透,成為新人。
How?
Obey God's word and honor God's name, for his love endure forever.

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