August 6 – Zephaniah 1-3

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Zephaniah 1-3. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Our reading today comes from another one of God’s prophets sent to deliver a message of destruction to Judah. The time has come for God’s solid hand of punishment over his people to be issued. Here is a stark contrast … many of the prophets sent have spoken during times of moral corruption and failure. When Zephaniah preaches he does so during a time of renewal and honest worship to God under the leadership of King Josiah, Zephaniah 1:1. This is a reminder that God is always in charge.

However, no matter what judgment God has ordained to take place, there is an opportunity for individual repentance. Zephaniah writes … “Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff.” (Zephaniah 2:2 NLT) God’s judgment was going to come regardless. However, there was still ample time for individuals to make a decision for God.

God has already ordained the final day of this life, whether it be in our own individual days or the final days before the return of Christ. However, each one has the opportunity to make a decision for Christ. We who know him have been called to make sure others have the same opportunity offered to us. That means we must constantly busy ourselves with sharing the gospel, or as we say it at West Side … loving and leading people to a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ.