Day 353 

Zephaniah 1:1-3:20; Revelation 10:1-11; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 30:11-14

When Is Enough?     

Zephaniah is pretty clear—God has had enough. His people worshiped other gods and no longer sought out the Lord in prayer. They did not cry out to Yahweh for help, blindly walking their own selfish and greedy way. In their arrogance, they thought God would sit quietly and do nothing.

They were wrong! “Listen, the cry on the day of the Lord will be bitter… that day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish…” (Zephaniah 1:14-15). Our Lord Jesus in similar fashion spoke to the world of His day, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).

We are often surprised when we come to those passages in Scripture which suggest to us that God has had enough. We would rather remember that we are blessed by God and forgiven of our sins. We have trouble accepting the paradox that we live in faith and yet in sin, that we are children of the Kingdom of God and still citizens of this world. The ruler of this broken, corrupt world is Satan.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus warned this sinful world, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Hundreds of years before Christ, Zephaniah warned the people that “the day of the Lord would be bitter” (Zephaniah 1:14). As we struggle with the brokenness of this world, let us remember that war and bitterness are never the last words in the life of one who loves God and trusts in Christ Jesus. Zephaniah concluded his work with the thought, “On that day they will say to Jerusalem, do not fear, oh Zion, do not let your hands hang limp. The Lord your God is with you. He is mighty to save you. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love. He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zephaniah 3:16-17).

Jesus  said to His followers, “Come to me all ye who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). There is no doubt that Zephaniah, those many years ago, was right. God had had enough. He had had enough of watching the brokenness and pain of His people. In due time, according to His will, He sent His Son to set us free. Believe in Him and the peace that passes all understanding.

The Rev. Phyllis Bartle
St. Judes Episcopal Church
Orange City, FL