Zephaniah 1, Hebrews 3

Wednesday, October 24, 2007 – Brandon Hatmaker

(Zephaniah 1)

As a parent, I’m always amazed at how much confusion I create with my children when I don’t communicate with them clearly. Especially in areas of expectations and how they should “act” in certain situations. Most times, I speak to them as if they were adults instead of kids. It’s my nature to communicate how I want to communicate instead of how they need me to communicate.

I’m struck this morning by a couple things that stood out to me in Zephaniah chapter 1. The first is how clearly God is truly speaking to us in our language through the prophets. Let there be no doubt the impending destruction and the clear reason for it’s approach. We are warned as “those who bow down on the roofs to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the LORD and who also swear by Molech.” How much more obvious can our God be with his disgust of allowing the idols in our life share his glory and our affection?

I read once that, “If Satan have half, he will have all; if the Lord have but half, he will have none.”

Those are good words. God will not share his glory with any other god’s or idols. Why would he? Even better question: Why would we allow it in our lives? For those of us convinced in faith, we should spend extra duty in discovering our idols. We should prayerfully consider what things dominate our lives and attention in ungodly ways. If our hearts are pure before God, he will show us. He will also give the courage and strength to walk away, if we seek that ability through Him. To God be the glory.

I’m reminded of something else about our relationship with God in verse 6 that says, “those who turn back from following the LORD and neither seek the LORD nor inquire of him.”

So many times we feel like we are “bugging” God with bringing things of small significance to him. Please remember, God wants all of us. His desire is that we place him as our all-in-all. Verse six indicts us when we no longer “inquire” of God. When we neglect seeking His provision, what does that say about who we think is the provider?

God, give us the courage to identify and depart from our idols. May we come to you for strength, insight, provision, and in all other things. May we see you as the “daddy” that you are. May we claim the identity in Christ as the children of God. May we come to your throne with humility, but with the confidence of being a child of the King.

(Hebrews 3)

“And there are none, even the strongest of the flock, who do not
need help of other Christians. Neither are there any so low and despised, but the care of their standing in the faith, and of their safety, belongs to all. Sin has so many ways and colours, that we need more eyes than ours own. Sin appears fair, but is vile; it appears pleasant, but is destructive; it promises much, but performs nothing. The deceitfulness of sin hardens the soul; one sin allowed makes way for another; and every act of sin confirms the habit. Let every one beware of sin.” - Matthew Henry