December 19
Zeph 1:1-3:20 | PS 138:1-8 | Prov 30:11-14 | Rev 10:1-11
You might be thinking you have blown it, and haven't we all. You might be thinking that you have done something so egregious that God could never forgive you. Perhaps you mistakenly think that God doesn't even care about you. All of this is untrue. The same God who formed you in your mother's womb, watched over you before you were born, and watches over you every day of your life cares for you deeply. Read how much He cares in Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Does that sound like God is indifferent? He is ready to rejoice over you, quiet your fears, pour forth His love, and rejoice over you. But do you seek this?
What is required of us? In reality, very little. Just repent, or change your mind over your sinful ways and come to Him in humility, as His child. We read in Zephaniah 2:1-3, "Gather yourselves together, yes, gather together, O undesirable nation, Before the decree is issued, Or the day passes like chaff, Before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, Before the day of the Lord’s anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the Lord’s anger." Like the people of Judah, we have moved far from God. We are not given a list of things that we must do. We are not given a period of time to think about things before coming to Him.
The requirement is simple and the response is guaranteed. Come to Him, now! Don't procrastinate. Don't add it to your list of things to do. Now! There might be some chastening, there might be some discipline from God. He doesn't do this to get even, or punish you. He does this because He loves you and knows what you need to engage Him in this relationship. Then seek Him. Feel His arms around you. Bathe in His presence. Wash yourself in His Word. Meditate upon Him in prayer. Worship Him in song. As we do to Him, read verse 3:17 again slowly, He does the same thing with us. That is what a relationship is all about.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: