The Future of Jerusalem

Scripture:  Zephaniah 3:1-20  (NIV)

Woe to the city of oppressors, 
rebellious and defiled! 

She obeys no one, 
she accepts no correction. 
She does not trust in the LORD, 
she does not draw near to her God. 

Her officials are roaring lions, 
her rulers are evening wolves, 
who leave nothing for the morning. 

Her prophets are arrogant; 
they are treacherous men. 
Her priests profane the sanctuary 
and do violence to the law. 

The LORD within her is righteous; 
he does no wrong. 
Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, 
and every new day he does not fail, 
yet the unrighteous know no shame. 

"I have cut off nations; 
their strongholds are demolished. 
I have left their streets deserted, 
with no one passing through. 
Their cities are destroyed; 
no one will be left—no one at all. 

I said to the city, 
'Surely you will fear me 
and accept correction!' 
Then her dwelling would not be cut off, 
nor all my punishments come upon her. 
But they were still eager 
to act corruptly in all they did. 

Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, 
"for the day I will stand up to testify. 
I have decided to assemble the nations, 
to gather the kingdoms 
and to pour out my wrath on them— 
all my fierce anger. 
The whole world will be consumed 
by the fire of my jealous anger. 

"Then will I purify the lips of the peoples, 
that all of them may call on the name of the LORD 
and serve him shoulder to shoulder. 

From beyond the rivers of Cush 
my worshipers, my scattered people, 
will bring me offerings. 

On that day you will not be put to shame 
for all the wrongs you have done to me, 
because I will remove from this city 
those who rejoice in their pride. 
Never again will you be haughty 
on my holy hill. 

But I will leave within you 
the meek and humble, 
who trust in the name of the LORD. 

The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; 
they will speak no lies, 
nor will deceit be found in their mouths. 
They will eat and lie down 
and no one will make them afraid." 

Sing, O Daughter of Zion; 
shout aloud, O Israel! 
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, 
O Daughter of Jerusalem! 

The LORD has taken away your punishment, 
he has turned back your enemy. 
The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; 
never again will you fear any harm. 

On that day they will say to Jerusalem, 
"Do not fear, O Zion; 
do not let your hands hang limp. 

The LORD your God is with you, 
he is mighty to save. 
He will take great delight in you, 
he will quiet you with his love, 
he will rejoice over you with singing." 

"The sorrows for the appointed feasts 
I will remove from you; 
they are a burden and a reproach to you.  

At that time I will deal 
with all who oppressed you; 
I will rescue the lame 
and gather those who have been scattered. 
I will give them praise and honor 
in every land where they were put to shame. 

At that time I will gather you; 
at that time I will bring you home. 
I will give you honor and praise 
among all the peoples of the earth 
when I restore your fortunes 
before your very eyes," 
says the LORD.

comment:  sure is a lot to try an digest, in the above scriptures, isn't there?

however, let us cut to the chase.  as we work for the promises of anonymous recovery being fulfilled, they tend to give us confidence of the future.  the best example, for today's world would, based on a seeming melt down of the "sub-prime" crap of recent weeks, can probably best be described by, "the fear of people and economic insecurity will leave us."  (bigbook page 84)

Prayer:  heavenly father, we praise you for letting us learn how to clear away the wreckage of the past, so that we can be confident of your future, in our lives.