Have you noticed how almost every prophet in the Old Testament ends with a word of hope, no matter how desperate the current situation may be?

The only way this is possible is if the Prophet’s eyes are not fixed on the present fears or dangers, but on the faithfulness of God.

Zephaniah clearly gets this as he talks of a remnant, a small faithful flock, who will discover the forgiveness and compassion of God (v.11-13), the joy of living as God’s children (v.14-17), and through this play a part in the transformation of the whole world (v.18-20). What a promise!

And, we know that when Jesus came along he gathered around himself a faithful remnant of tax collectors, fishermen, and social outcasts who over time came to experience the great forgiveness and compassion of God in Jesus, the joy of being adopted into God’s family with Jesus, and were empowered to ‘gather the exiles’ from all the corners of the earth as God’s Kingdom comes through Jesus.

We too are part of that story. We are part of that ever-growing remnant that has and continues to transform every nation of the world. What an exciting word of hope for God’s people today!

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Questions:

Which of those promises do you struggle most to take hold of: The gift of forgiveness, the joy of adoption, or that you have a part to play in transforming this world?

Prayer:

Father, thank you that, through Jesus, I am included in that faithful remnant. May I know your forgiveness, rejoice in my adoption, and discover my part to play in your Kingdom plans for this world. Amen.