Year of the Bible: Part Eight of TwelveSample

Undeserved Love, Unimagined Future

It is tempting to jump right to the final oracle of this book and proclaim the good news that God's presence brings joyful celebration. And in fact, this is the message of the book and our faith: "The Lord, your God, is in your midst … he will renew you in his love" (Zephaniah 3:17); "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son" (John 3:16). However, this message’s significance is most profound when set in contrast to the preceding text. Despite the people's indifference, despite their hypocrisy, and despite the cause for cosmic judgment, God's entry into the world brings celebration, restoration, and new life.

The passage promises that God will purify and change our speech, that there will be no shame even from our own rebellion, that He will make us a humble people free from injustice, and that there is no deceit and no fear. There will be no enemies or judgments, He will be in our midst, and we will fear no evil. He will quiet us and rejoice over us. He will sing over us. There will be no reproach, and God will restore us fully. God's presence brings a new way of life in which the way that people relate to God and one another is fundamentally different—can you picture this way of life?

Question: How can you be a part of establishing God's kingdom culture here on earth while you eagerly await Christ's return?

Prayer: Identify an area of fear or injustice and invite God into the midst of it. Ask Him how He would change it and proclaim His response over the situation.