Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 (NRSV)
Read Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 7Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is at hand; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, he has consecrated his guests. Verse 12At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs, those who say in their hearts, "The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm." Verse 13Their wealth shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them.
Verse 14The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter, the warrior cries aloud there. Verse 15That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, Verse 16a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. Verse 17I will bring such distress upon people that they shall walk like the blind; because they have sinned against the Lord, their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. Verse 18Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord's wrath; in the fire of his passion the whole earth shall be consumed; for a full, a terrible end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.
Devotion
Reading this scripture, I am reminded of recent natural disasters like the hurricanes in the Gulf. Following Hurricane Katrina, someone asked me if I thought this disaster was a message from God.
Especially in light of today's text, such events raise the question of whether or not God is sending down judgment. Yet I believe such disasters serve as reminders of messages God has already sent to us; namely, the brevity and fragility of life and the foolishness of placing our faith in material possessions.
Finally and most importantly, we are reminded that God created us for community, directing us to care for and lean on each other. These disasters give us an opportunity to share and help. We become God’s hands, feet, eyes and ears, delivering aid, encouragement and hope. In such times, many would simply perish without our help.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, turn us away from false gods that can be so easily destroyed. Strengthen our faith so that we may trust only in you. Open our hearts to those who have been struck by tragedy. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.