Slices
Prepare
Look back over your life. What was the time of greatest joy, when you were most satisfied? Give thanks to God for that moment.
Bible passage
Sing, Daughter Zion;
shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away your punishment,
he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;
never again will you fear any harm.
16 On that day
they will say to Jerusalem,
‘Do not fear, Zion;
do not let your hands hang limp.
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.’
18 ‘I will remove from you
all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals,
which is a burden and reproach for you.
19 At that time I will deal
with all who oppressed you.
I will rescue the lame;
I will gather the exiles.
I will give them praise and honour
in every land where they have suffered shame.
20 At that time I will gather you;
at that time I will bring you home.
I will give you honour and praise
among all the peoples of the earth
when I restore your fortunes
before your very eyes,’
says the Lord.
Explore
The joy and excitement we feel, even in the best moments of this life, are nothing compared to the joy we will know on that day when we fully understand and know what God has done for us (vs 14,15). All God has done for us in Jesus is already true: it has already happened. On that day we will know in full and rejoice with all our hearts!
Zephaniah has guided us through some challenging home truths about our sinfulness and God’s judgement and justice. But his final word is joy: not only our joy, but God’s joy in us. Read again and savour verse 17 – it is precious!
How does this fit with what we’ve read this series? It only makes sense through Calvary (v 15). On the cross Jesus willingly took on himself the fierce anger, the wrath, the punishment we deserve, and that Zephaniah describes so graphically. Through the cross, we who deserve death can live; we who deserve God’s anger are instead his delight. In Jesus we are loved beyond measure. In Jesus we are gathered and brought home (v 20).
Respond
As I sit here and weep at the wondrous gift and love of God, I encourage you to do the same. Ask God to give you a glimpse of all he has done for you, of his great love for you, and say simply: ‘Thank you.’
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Numbers 8,9; Matthew 16
Pray for Scripture Union
Give thanks for graduates of Amplify, including Lydia and Zara who continue to be involved so that they can encourage the next intake of young Christians who want to share their faith with their peers. (This week's prayers relate to this story.)
