Zephaniah 3:14-20

Memory Verse: Zephaniah 3:17 - “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” 

Song: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Resonate Church

You know the phrase “rock bottom”? We often use it to describe the moment or season in someone’s life when they finally come to the end of themselves, like things can’t get any worse. 

That’s where we find the people of Israel in the book of Zephaniah. God has had enough of their idolatry and wickedness. This is rock bottom… again!

The first two chapters of Zephaniah are prophetic poetry warning the nation of Israel and the surrounding nations that God’s judgment is coming. God will destroy the false gods and idols that have led His people astray. He’s going to bring ruin to these nations and their evil ways.

Yet, in true biblical fashion, we see God’s promise of redemption. He’s not using his judgment to simply destroy the evil among His people. He’s using His judgment to purify His people. He promises the redemption of Jerusalem and a remnant of people who will sing songs of pure joy and worship to their God.

Not only that, but God Himself says He will sing over His people and delight in them.

“ On that day,

    they will say to Jerusalem,

“Do not fear, Zion;

    do not let your hands hang limp.

The Lord your God is with you,

    the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

    but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:16-17

This is the story of the gospel. It’s the story of God redeeming for Himself a remnant people who will be redeemed from their sinful ways. To sing with joy and praise Him for the salvation He brings through Jesus.

You and I were once far off. We had given ourselves to idols just like the people of Israel in the book of Zephaniah. We were lost and enslaved to sin.

And yet, God sent His son to redeem us. 

But here’s the best part. We didn’t have to endure judgment to become His remnant people – Jesus takes the judgment and punishment for us. We are God’s redeemed people who can shout for joy and sing songs of praise for all He’s done for us.

He is your God who is with you, your mighty warrior who saves, and He takes great delight in you. In his love, He no longer rebukes you but rejoices over you with singing.

Think about the times in your life when it seemed you were at rock bottom – when judgment was the only right response for the sin in your life. 

And yet, in His mercy, God redeemed and reconciled you to Himself. Praise God with songs of joy!