In Zephaniah, we read about the coming great day of the Lord, when the Lord's judgements fall upon the earth, when God's people go forth to give the final message of invitation and mercy.
I thought it was interesting in Zephaniah 3:9, how the Bible tells us, the Lord will turn to the people a pure language... verse 13 expounds upon that, "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth." Seems that our words are pretty significant in the sight of heaven, and if that's the tongue God's people are going to have at the end of time, perhaps we should be praying to have that kind of tongue now...
Anyway, unrelated to those thoughts, I love a margin quote by Ellen White that is in my Bible. It is referencing Zephaniah 1:14 which says, "The great day of the Lord is near, and hasteth greatly." This is what Ellen White wrote...
In this closing work of the gospel there is a vast field to be occupied; and, more than ever before, the work is to enlist helpers from the common people. Both the youth and those older in years will be called from the field, from the vineyard, and from the workshop, and sent forth by the Master to give His message. Many of these have had little opportunity for education; but Christ sees in them qualifications that will enable them to fulfill His purpose. If they put their hearts into the work, and continue to be learners, He will fit them to labor for Him.
He who knows the depths of the world’s misery and despair, knows by what means to bring relief. He sees on every hand souls in darkness, bowed down with sin and sorrow and pain. But He sees also their possibilities; He sees the height to which they may attain. Although human beings have abused their mercies, wasted their talents, and lost the dignity of godlike manhood, the Creator is to be glorified in their redemption.
The burden of labor for these needy ones in the rough places of the earth Christ lays upon those who can feel for the ignorant and for such as are out of the way. He will be present to help those whose hearts are susceptible to pity, though their hands may be rough and unskilled. He will work through those who can see mercy in misery, and gain in loss. When the Light of the world passes by, privilege will be discerned in hardship, order in confusion, success in apparent failure. Calamities will be seen as disguised blessings; woes, as mercies. Laborers from the common people, sharing the sorrows of their fellow men as their Master shared the sorrows of the whole human race, will by faith see Him working with them.
“The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly.” Zephaniah 1:14. And a world is to be warned. (From Education, p. 269-270)I highlighted the parts that really spoke to me above. Can we see God's mercy even in misery? Can we see privilege in hardship, order in confusion, success in apparent failure. God sees the possibilities for the rough yet unturned stones of those still living in the world. Do we see these possibilities? Let us pray for new eyes to really SEE!
Tomorrow's Reading: Hagai 1-2 and Revelation 16
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