E-Message Bible/Commentary
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." --- Psalm 119:105
ZEPHANIAH
The Sin of Complacency
At that time I will search Jerusalem
with lamps, and I will punish the people who rest complacently like
wine left on its dregs, those who say in their hearts, "The Lord will
not do good, nor will he do harm." (Zephaniah 1:12)
It is no doubt most people have heard of the sin of deliberately breaking God's commandment or doing what God says NOT to do. That's the sin of commission. Then there is the sin of refusing to do what God commands or NOT doing what God says to do. That's the sin of omission. But what's the sin of complacency?
Complacency is defined as being satisfied with the status quo no matter how bad it is. Complacency is accepting evil when it should be replaced with good. Complacency is keeping silent when speaking out the truth is the practical thing to do. But why is complacency a sin? According to the minor prophet Zephaniah, God would search the city with lamps and punish those who were complacent. Complacency can be summarized as being content and indifferent in the midst of moral chaos. Complacently is accepting sin as a lifestyle. It is looking on sin and acting like it doesn't exist or thinking it doesn't matter one way or the other.
Sin does matter to God, and we shouldn't be complacent concerning it.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Your Faith Can Burn Brightly in Dark Times
Sing, O Daughter of Zion, shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem. (Zephaniah 3:14)
Sing, O Daughter of Zion, shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem. (Zephaniah 3:14)
Perhaps you have encountered dark times in the past? Perhaps you are experiencing dark times right now. If so, know that by experiencing dark times, you stand in position to experience better times. At the beginning of the Book of Zephaniah, God warns Judah of impending destruction because of the sins of the people. This warning was meant to stir the people to repentance before it was too late. God's judgment would pave the way for a new society in which justice would prevail and God would get the worship He deserved.
Zephaniah is a book that balances judgment and salvation. Zephaniah is a book that shows God's anger and His compassion. Zephaniah is a book that should reinforce your confidence that God will make everything right even when people among you are corrupt. Zephaniah reassures you that you can still trust God ... that even in dark times your faith can still burn brightly.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
God Sings
For the Lord, your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing you a happy song. (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)
For the Lord, your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing you a happy song. (Zephaniah 3:17 NLT)
One of the most loving things a
person can do is to write a special poem or song for someone he loves.
Tender feelings are expressed through the recitation of the poem or the
singing of the song. Indeed the recipient is honored.
You probably already know God loves you. But do you know God sings to you? Even though the Bible says a great deal about singing, only twice in the Bible does it say God sings. Most people don't even know about this great act of God. The above scripture, along with Psalm 32:7, lets us know God loves us so much that He sings to us. Have you ever heard God sing to you?
Picture the scene of a mother singing to her newborn baby. Picture the scene of a father comforting his son with a lullaby as the toddler drifts off to sleep. When problems are weighing heavily upon your mind, listen to hear God sing to you. Listen to hear that happy song. Listen to hear God sing the song of songs.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
You probably already know God loves you. But do you know God sings to you? Even though the Bible says a great deal about singing, only twice in the Bible does it say God sings. Most people don't even know about this great act of God. The above scripture, along with Psalm 32:7, lets us know God loves us so much that He sings to us. Have you ever heard God sing to you?
Picture the scene of a mother singing to her newborn baby. Picture the scene of a father comforting his son with a lullaby as the toddler drifts off to sleep. When problems are weighing heavily upon your mind, listen to hear God sing to you. Listen to hear that happy song. Listen to hear God sing the song of songs.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
List of the Books of the Bible
Go to http://www.e-messages.info