Zephaniah 3:18-20 – Restoration!

As we noted yesterday, Zephaniah’s prophecy speaks of two contrasting days: a day of judgement and a day of restoration. For us today, this new day of restoration has already dawned with the first coming of Jesus. However, that new day has not come in its fullness. Jesus has not finished saving people from every nation. Christians do not currently display perfect humility, nor do they display perfect holiness in their actions. The new day has partially come, but much more remains to be fulfilled. There is an ‘already’ aspect to the new day, but there is also a ‘not yet’ aspect to it. In this present age, Christians will continue to have trials and sufferings, but God promises that one day He will gather us and bring us home. Three times in today’s section – once in each verse (v18, v19, v20) – God speaks of ‘gathering’ us!

There will be mourning (v18) before that day comes. Those whom – as we saw yesterday – God will rejoice in (v17) and who He will cause to rejoice (v14) will, before that day comes in its fullness, still have sorrow. Before we reap in joy, we will often sow in tears (Psalm 126:5-6). But God will make His Church to be ‘renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth’ (v20). We have seen glimpses of this in our own land and also throughout history. But ultimately this will be fulfilled on that great day when the universal church of Jesus Christ is ‘gathered’ to Him and is admired and glorified before angels and men.

Questions
1. Can we use yesterday’s verses to expect only rejoicing for God’s people?

Prayer Points
1. Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
3. Pray for family matters.