Daily Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13
Thus says the LORD: Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted, to the tyrannical city! She hears no voice, accepts no correction; in the LORD she has not trusted, to her God she has not drawn near.
For then I will change and purify the lips of the peoples, that they all may call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one accord; from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia and as far as the recesses of the North, they shall bring me offerings.
On that day you need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me; for then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts and you shall no longer exalt yourself on my holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD: the remnant of Israel. They shall do no wrong and speak no lies; nor shall there be found in their mouths a deceitful tongue; they shall pasture and couch their flocks with none to disturb them.
Daily Meditation:
On that day, you need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me. The Lord's coming, promises us a time when we need not fear. It will indeed be a time of purifying, a time of humility and trust in God. We ask for the grace to be like the child whose mind is changed and says, “Yes” to our Lord's call.
Daily Reflection:
I seem to be drawn to the latter part of this scripture- “On that day, you need not be ashamed of all your deeds, your rebellious actions against me…” I know I’m ashamed of my actions and rebelliousness. I’ve always “learned things the hard way” because of my bull headedness. I regret a lot of my actions, as they thwarted my relationship with Heavenly Father and my family. Just last night, I started an argument with my husband over nothing. I was ashamed when I finally realized that I wasn’t actually mad at him; I was mad at circumstances that were uncontrollable (and at other people entirely), and I had harbored a lot of anger that in turn, created a very large wall (I tend to create those to avoid being hurt). We ended up discussing how poor attitudes lead to rebellious words and actions. It’s pretty sad that it took a fight with someone I love more than anything else; to realize that I have to stop trying to take on the world alone… the result is not worth the walls and the inner hostility that you start projecting outward. Now that Andrew crushed my wall, we can focus on strengthening our marriage even more… overcoming the hurdles together as a team, becoming the spouses God intended us to be for each other, and the people He needs us to be for others.
Closing Prayer:
Lord of such compassionate wisdom, how often do I exalt myself and ignore you? I look over the heads of my more humble brothers and sisters, not seeing how they rely on you so much more than I do. Help me to learn from them to make you the center of my life.
You invite me to not be ashamed of what I have done in my life, but instead offer me a refuge. Let me call out to you; hear me: Give me the grace to see those around me who are brokenhearted. Guide me in staying with them in their sorrows. I ask for the courage to help them in all the ways they need it and to be your servant on this earth.
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