Near and Hastening Fast!

Reading:  Zephaniah 1-3
My Verse:  1:14  "The great day of the Lord is near - near and hastening fast.  Hark!  The voice of the day of the Lord!  The mighty man [unable to fight or to flee] will cry then bitterly."

What an image this verse brings to mind.  Causes me to recall the flood when all those people realized too late that there was truth to Noah's message.  I look out at the world at all the mighty, wealthy men and women in it and feel so sad.  They only have today to enjoy what they have for they "weary themselves only for emptiness, falsity, and futility." (Habakkuk 2:13)

Zephaniah cries out to his people to repent while there is yet time.  "[The time for repentence is speeding by like chaff whirled before the wind!]  Therefore consider, before God's decree brings forth [the curse upon you], before the time [to repent] is gone like the drifting chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord comes upon you-yes, before the day of the wrath of the Lord comes upon you!" (2:2) Oh, Lord, I am so thankful that You are slow to anger, that You do not want any to perish, that you love us so much that  You sent all these prophets to warn us, and finally that You have preserved this book, the Bible so that we can know what is coming. 

You are such a forgiving God.  You want to delight in us, when we turn to You!  "The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who Saves!]  He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing." (3:17)  How wonderful is that?

 I love what You will do for those that have so corrupted themselves with evil, You will again enable them to see and worship You.  "For then [changing their impure language] I will give to the people a clear and pure speech from pure lips, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one unanimous consent and one united shoulder." (3:9) 

Yes, the time is getting short.  Our lives are so fragile.  Lord, help me to make the most of each day that You give me here.  I like the words of Alison Krauss's song here.  "Take my life and let me be a living prayer my God to Thee."

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!