Passage
Zephaniah 1:1-18 (ESV)
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
Acts 8:26-40
Key Verse: 8:35
The Great Day of the Lord
Date: Oct. 27, 2014
Daily Bread
Introduction to Zephaniah
Key Verse: 1:7
First, I will sweep away everything (1-6). The Lord is the Judge. He judges sin in the world and he judges completely. The people of Israel were the people of God, but they were not exempt from judgment. On the contrary, the Lord promised to judge their persistent idol worship.
Second, the Lord has prepared a sacrifice (7-18). When every day goes on like the one before, it is easy to become complacent, to think that the Lord is far off. Zephaniah spoke a different truth, saying, "The great day of the Lord is near." (14) We can combat complacency when we continually come before the Lord and his word to be judged. The Lord prepared Jesus to be our ransom sacrifice. The one who judges this world is the same one who invites us to come and be consecrated in his way. The Lord actively judges sin, and at the same time works in all things to invite and save his own. He is never complacent. We can only be silent and come before him with great submission.
Prayer: Lord, help me to fight complacency and come before you and your word daily. You are the judge of all the earth. Thank you for preparing salvation for a sinner like me.
One Word: The day of the Lord is near
