https://esv.literalword.com/?q=zeph+1%3B+psalm+142%3B+pro+9
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Saturday, 9 December 2023:
Note: Here is a short video summary of Zephaniah: https://youtu.be/oFZknKPNvz8
Note: Here is a short video summary of Zephaniah: https://youtu.be/oFZknKPNvz8
Note: Once again, when was the last time you heard a sermon on Zephaniah? Congratulations again on reading all of God’s word this year.
Zephaniah 1:4, 5 – I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests, those who bow down on the roofs to the host of the heavens, those who bow down and swear to the Lord and yet swear by Milcom….
Syncretism has always been one of the greatest threats to the church – the blending of beliefs. In Jerusalem, God’s people had allowed Baal worship to creep into their religious practices. Today, we allow secular humanism, and sometimes eastern religious ideas, to creep into our churches.
Zephaniah 1:7 — Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near.
Silence before the Lord indicates humble, repentant submission to God’s work in your life, including His discipline and testing.
Zephaniah 1:12 — I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, “The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill.”
God punishes the complacent, those who are not willing to take God’s commands seriously, those who don’t diligently fulfill the Great Commandment and Great Commission.
Zephaniah 1:17 — I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord.
Many act as if God will not punish sin. God holds all accountable for sin, whether they claim to believe in God or not.
Zephaniah 1:18 — Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
Faithfulness to God is the only hope for security. Personal or national strength is an illusion if it is not built upon the foundation of integrity before the Lord.
Psalm 141:5 — Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.
Strong rebukes against sin are a gift often under appreciated.
Psalm 142:2 – I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.
If you are going to complain, complain to God and to no one else.
Psalm 142:3 — When my spirit faints within me, you know my way!
No matter what you are going through, God knows your situation and will take care of you.
Psalm 142:4 – …there is none who takes notice of me.
When you feel completely alone, God is there for you, the only One who can truly love you unconditionally, the only One who will never abandon you, the only one you can really count on, the only One you really need. Walk with Him through trials, growing closer to Him every day. Trust Him completely.
Proverbs 9:4-6 — “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
The invitation is out there for anyone willing to repent and to humble themselves before the Lord.
Proverbs 9:7-8 – Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Jesus told His disciples to invest their time and energy on those who would accept their message and to ‘shake the dust off their feet and walk away’ from those who were clearly not willing to listen — “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” (Matthew 10:14) We are called to proclaim the Gospel to all but most importantly to make disciples of those who would follow Jesus. Pay close attention to Jesus’ Great Commission to us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Mathew 28:19, 20) Again, God did not call us to just make believers, He called us, you and I, to make disciples, teaching them “to obey all,” to be priests on this earth. (1 Peter 2:5-9) That means the you must first be a good example of a priest, knowing how to rightly divine and to teach God’s word, and you must lead others in walking in the word. It is much, much more than simply sitting in church and in small group Bible studies, it is hitting the streets with fellow believers as the Spirit leads, like Jesus did with His twelve. It means getting dirty and stepping out in faith into the unknown. It means learning how to discern who is already being convicted by the Holy Spirit and then ministering to them. Are you ready to accept the Great Commission? Do you have mentees who are equally committed to following Jesus? As you lead others, remember to lead them as a mere follower of Jesus – it is always about Jesus and not about you. Never, ever point to yourself, always to Jesus.
Proverbs 9:10 – The knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
We are only as wise and spiritual as how well we know Jesus. Jesus explains this in John 17. It is not moralism that saves us. It is Jesus. Jesus doesn’t just want us to live ‘good’ lives and do works of charity so that life might be more comfortable on earth for the lost. Jesus wants us to know Him and lead others to knowing Him.
Proverbs 9:12 – If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.
You are responsible for your own actions and their inevitable outcomes. Don’t blame someone else.
Proverbs 9:13 – The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing.
Foolish people are loud and lustful.
Proverbs 9:17 — Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
Don’t be deceived – there are no shortcuts in life, and you don’t get something for nothing. There is no way around obeying God and following Jesus to get to where you need to go.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 9 December 2023: Don’t be complacent. Be faithful, humble and lowly but also bold, joyful and unafraid?
- Acts 4:13 — Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 