My brother, my sister, God’s love, patience and mercy must constantly remind us that He reigns and He will always rescue His own. Our part, my friends, is to decide to be part of the remnants,the faithful souls, who humbly worship and obey the living Lord.
There is something interesting about this book: the people knew and expected God to eventually bless them. Are we really different from them? But today, Zephaniah makes it clear that the judgment comes first, then the blessing. My friend, the judgment of God is not meant to be merely punishment of sin, but it is also a means God uses to purify His people. This reminds us of The Parable of the Weeds: weeds are left to grow along with good seeds (Matthew 13:30)… but there is a time when weeds are removed first, and the remnants are collected!
Indeed, the Bible speaks many times about the remnants of the people of God… and the remnants are never part of the big number because they are part of what nobody wants or those people neglect. My friend, the biggest portion that disappears quickly may not be the most productive part… As for God, He values the remnants so much that He always put them aside because they represent those who put their hope in what they know of him: He is faithful, He never abandons His children and He is nearer than people may think! Jesus’ disciples were many, but only the twelve remnants are remembered until today, including the son of perdition! My friend, true hope in God is grounded in the knowledge of God’s justice and in His love for His people.
So, in the midst of difficult situations, don’t lose hope… learn to know the Lord instead, stay faithful to the Lord: “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility” (verse 3). Why? Because this is what the Lord promises to the remnants who will endure the pain: “to the remnant of the people of Judah; there they will find pasture. In the evening they will lie dow in the houses of Ashkelon. The Lord their God will care for them; he will restore their fortunes (verse 7); “The remnant of my people will plunder them; the survivors of my nation will inherit their land” (verse 9)… It is true that we live in a fallen world surrounded by evil, yet we can hope in the perfect Kingdom of God to come while faithfully following the steps of Christ. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.