Zephaniah 3:14-20 (NRSV)
Read Zephaniah 3:14-20 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! Verse 15The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. Verse 16On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. Verse 17The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing Verse 18as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. Verse 19I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. Verse 20At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.
Devotion
Are you preparing for some sort of homecoming this Christmas? If so, your plans are likely filled with a sense of joy and anticipation. The thought of going home can stir deep feelings inside. The same is true for the Israel of old. God shares an incredible promise through the prophet Zephaniah: "I will bring you home." The beginning of Zephaniah links these words to the days of King Josiah in Judah. Like most prophetic writings, however, the words continue to speak to subsequent times and places. "Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!" There will come a day when there is no more judgment, no more fear, no more hunger and want. In whatever context these words are heard, the thought of going home leads to feelings of care and safe-keeping. God will gather God's people. All will be well. What more could we want?
Prayer
Lord God, as many families journey home this Christmas, we ask you to come and make a home with us, and tenderly care for your people. Amen.