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12/11 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 11-12; Revelation 2; Zephaniah 3; John 1
Zephaniah 3:19
Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth.
SALVATION
The grace and mercy of God in Christ Jesus is an amazing, wonderful thing. Although Jerusalem had so fallen into insolence and idolatry (Zeph 3:1-3), and though judgment upon Judah and the nations was near, and that, due to the Lord’s coming (Zeph 1:2-3:8), YHVH God extended grace, mercy, and salvation through the words of Zephaniah. YHVH God’s plan was to convert the nations (Zeph 3:9-13) and revive Israel (Zeph 3:14-20).
You and I are recipients of YHVH God’s gracious blessings through Christ Jesus. Although our spiritual walk and behavior toward God was crippled, the LORD said, “I will save the lame.” Although we were rebellious like the wicked angels cast out of heaven, the LORD promised to gather the outcast unto Himself. Our wicked ways, which had once brought dishonor to our holy Creator, would be transformed by effectual grace through Christ Jesus as He said, “I will change their shame into praise.” Truly, our God has…
…called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9
The disparity between what we once were and what we have now become in Christ is worthy of exultant praise because it is the work of the Lord Jesus Messiah alone. One day, in that great Day of Christ’s return, the Lord Jesus Himself will deal with all [our] oppressors, and our conversion by His merciful grace will be renown in all the earth, unto the Father’s greatest glory in, by, and through His only Son, Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
The Lord said, “I will save the lame
And change their shame to praise.”
Our salvation will be Christ’s fame
When He comes in that Day.
