August 19, 2024 - Zephaniah 1-3

The day of the Lord . . . The Lord will be against the idolaters and the unrighteous.  For them it will be a day of darkness and gloom.  Their silver and their gold will not deliver them (1:18).  But the humble, those who do the Lord's commands, who seek righteousness, they will be hidden from the wrath of the Lord (2:3).

Even the city of Jerusalem, that is, all in her who refuse to follow the Lord, will face judgment on that day.  To the righteous of Jerusalem, however, the Lord says:  “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.  The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (3:17).

Daughter of Zion, awake from thy sadness;

Awake, for thy foes shall oppress thee no more.

Bright, o'er thy hills, dawns the day star of gladness,

Arise, for the night of thy sorrow is o'er.

Daughter of Zion, awake from thy sadness;

Awake, for thy foes shall oppress thee no more.   –Anonymous (1832)