Sunday 5th May
Read Zephaniah 3:18-20
““I will remove from you
all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals,
which is a burden and reproach for you.
19 At that time I will deal
with all who oppressed you.
I will rescue the lame;
I will gather the exiles.
I will give them praise and honour
in every land where they have suffered shame.
20 At that time I will gather you;
at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honour and praise
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes
before your very eyes,”
says the Lord.”
It is rare today that the church is praised and honoured. In that sense our times are similar to those of Zephaniah. If any notice is paid to the church at all it is to denounce us and declare that we should be ashamed of ourselves. No amount of sackcloth, even willingly worn, will restore our standing.
The history of revival in the church is one that is almost universally preceded by growing unity amongst the disparate arms of the church. The church is gathered together by the Spirit and a transformation of both personal and public-facing piety follows. Often this is followed by praise by the peoples around about. A pattern reflected in the reading from Zephaniah today.
Pray today that God’s spirit would work in this way once more in your life and the life of the church.
