Generation Z: Born for the StormSample

Born for Hope: Zephaniah

The greatest need in our world and this generation is hope. Hope is necessary for human life. Where it is lacking, darkness and death prevail. Gen Z has been born into a world filled with darkness, death, and despair. Their struggle to find optimism and courage is significant and real. They are a generation under immense spiritual attacks. At times, these attacks are not only against their spiritual health but also against their physical, emotional, and mental health.

But God gives us a message of hope even when darkness is closing in. God has a good plan for us, one that is always filled with love, hope, and mercy (Jeremiah 29:11). By trusting this good plan, Gen Z will bring a unique perspective to their generation. They will become hope-givers, even in seemingly hopeless situations.

Zephaniah’s prophecies are some of the most scathing in all of Scripture. His first prophetic declaration is: “‘I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth,’ declares the Lord.” (Zephaniah 1:2) Yet Zephaniah also focuses on God’s mercy. Though Babylon would come from the north and take over the city of Jerusalem, bringing God’s judgment for sin (Jeremiah 6:22–23, Zephaniah 1:12–13), Zephaniah promised that God would reveal His mercy and love to His people, even singing over them.

We often assume judgment and mercy are opposites, but that is not true. God’s judgment on our sin is really His mercy at work, saving us from greater pain in the future. He sees our need for correction, and He tells us in His Word that through correction, we can know ourselves as His children. He will judge our sins and help us adjust our course because of His great mercy. Even God’s judgment on Judah and Jerusalem was for correction—not destruction—though it felt horrific. For all who are His sons and daughters, God’s momentary discipline is necessary for long-term, hope-filled results. His intent is always to bring forth good.

When Zephaniah prophesied to God’s people, he made it clear to them that though it may have felt as if their lives were over, God was not through with them yet. When we, likewise, embrace God’s judgment instead of avoiding it, we can find hope during hard times, knowing fully that He is not finished with us yet.