Friday 3rd May
Read Zephaniah 3:12-13
“On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame
for all the wrongs you have done to me,
because I will remove from you
your arrogant boasters.
Never again will you be haughty
on my holy hill.
12 But I will leave within you
the meek and humble.
The remnant of Israel
will trust in the name of the Lord.
13 They will do no wrong;
they will tell no lies.
A deceitful tongue
will not be found in their mouths.
They will eat and lie down
and no one will make them afraid.’” (NIVUK)
Zephaniah has referred to a remnant who will survive the day of the Lord throughout his message. At no point have we heard that this remnant will be ‘better’ than those who will not escape. Until now. The day of the Lord will purge those who are full of themselves from amongst God’s people. Just as the promise is to God’s scattered people that they will be united with one voice, what they will say will be true and their actions will reflect their humility.
Jesus speaks of this kingdom rule of God at the beginning of His ministry. He speaks of those who are meek, humble, lowly in spirit and pure in heart. They will be merciful because they have known the mercy of God. They have escaped just judgement and sin and death. From this place they love and serve and honour God truly… ‘for there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.’ (Romans 8:1-2) (NIVUK).
