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Friday, September 22, 2017

…yet.

Stand in silence in the presence of the Sovereign LORD, for the awesome day of the LORD's judgment is near. The LORD has prepared His people for a great slaughter and has chosen their executioners. (Zephaniah 1:7 NLT)

This part of Israel and Judah’s history is depressing.  They rebel against the LORD and it does not go well for them.  They are beaten.  They are captured.  They are deported.  Their places of power and of worship are destroyed.  Israel and Judah are no more.  They can’t go home…yet.

Then the LORD said to me, "Write My answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.  (Habakkuk 2:2-3 NLT)

But God does not leave them there.  The same prophets who delivered messages of doom also delivered a different message at the end of their prophecies.

This is what the LORD says: "I will stir up a destroyer against Babylon and the people of Babylonia. For the LORD of Heaven's Armies has not abandoned Israel and Judah. He is still their God, even though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel." (Jeremiah 51:1, 5 NLT)

The same Babylonian empire that was used as the arm of the LORD would be defeated themselves someday.  That’s because they would not listen to or follow the one true God.  Babylon is big, but God is bigger.  The remnants of Israel and Judah will be set free.  They will be able to return and, once again, walk together with God.

"Then I will purify the speech of all people, so that everyone can worship the LORD together. My scattered people who live beyond the rivers of Ethiopia will come to present their offerings. On that day you will no longer need to be ashamed, for you will no longer be rebels against Me. I will remove all proud and arrogant people from among you. There will be no more haughtiness on My holy mountain. Those who are left will be the lowly and humble, for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will never tell lies or deceive one another. They will eat and sleep in safety, and no one will make them afraid." (Zephaniah 3:9-13 NLT)

How about you?  Have you ever experienced the defeat and captivity that happens when we rebel against God?  Have you seen the hope that God provided through the prophets and then through His Son?  Have you returned home to walk together with God?

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