Date: Monday 9th April 2018

Topic: The Day of the Lord

Bible Reading: Zephaniah 1:14 – 2:3 (The Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.)

Chapter One

1. The great day of the Lord is near—near and coming quickly.The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.

2. That day will be a day of wrath—a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness—

3. a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.

4. “I will bring such distress on all people that they will grope about like those who are blind, because they have sinned against the Lord. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like dung.

5. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the Lord’s wrath.” In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.

Chapter Two

1. Gather together, gather yourselves together, you shameful nation,

2. before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you.

3. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Word for Today: The great day of the Lord is near—near and coming quickly.The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry. – v. 14.

Inspiring Commentary:

The great day of the Lord announced by Zephaniah portends calamity for Judah. It will be a day of wrath, distress, anguish, trouble etc. (v. 15). What a bitter day it will be for the people of Judah as a result of their sins. Though Judah is a chosen race and He loves them dearly, He will not ignore their waywardness. God loves His children, but He will not fold His hands and allow them to continue in their wicked ways.

It is worthy of note however that it is not all doom. The God of great grace offers an opportunity for His people to repent of their sins. There were people with humble hearts who carried out the requirements of the Lord. They are advised to seek righteousness and humility so that they can be sheltered from God's anger.

The Lord does not have interest in destroying His children for whom He sent His only son to die, but we are sometimes recalcitrant and unwilling to repent. He is willing and ready to forgive if we repent. We should not be like the Jews who desire the coming of the Lord for judgment upon their enemies and yet keep living in sin against God.

Prayer: Lord, help me to abhor sin and live right in your presence at all times.