Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Mighty to Save
Zeph. 3:14-20

“The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." (17)
Today’ passage portrays the restoration that God has planned for Israel. Chapter 3: 2-4 depict the corrupt officials and rulers who are likened to wild animals and the religious leaders who are arrogant and have polluted Lord’s temple. On the other hand, God still remains a righteous God and does nothing wrong, He does not stop showering His mercies every day. The people of Israel continue to reject their Maker. Yet, God has a plan for the fallen world. He will gather his people from far off lands. He will bring judgment and restoration. He will purify the lips of His people and a day will come when the entire world will worship Him in unity. 
Three key points for today’s meditation:
“Do not Fear” This is the message to Israel, who is doubtful if they will survive the wrath of God. However, God’s plan is to give them a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11), not to destroy them. This is the message to the Church today. We may have sinned and fallen short of His glory, but we should not be discouraged, He still has a plan for our lives today.
“The Lord God is with you, he is mighty to save” Zephaniah foretells the deliverance for the Lord’s people, the abiding presence of Messiah who will live with them (Immanuel), the Chosen One who shall save them. When God administered justice on the cross, our sins were crucified to that cross. Jesus gave Himself up as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (Eph 5:2). His Blood that was shed on the cross is powerful enough to save us from our sins today.

“God will rejoice over you”: Can we imagine a God who sings over His people? Here is a God who takes delight in His creation. We often think that our God is irritated with us or annoyed with us. He knows our weaknesses, our problems, our failures and all our sins. Yet, our God rejoices over us and He sings with happiness. He has restored the whole world to Himself through His Son who died for the sins of the world. Today, let us trust Him and rejoice in His Salvation.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your ever-comforting presence in our lives which help us in our journey through this turbulent world. Amen
Thought for the Day: God’s promises give us courage when we are afraid, faith when we doubt, and joy during suffering.


 Abin Varghis, St. James Mar Thoma Church, London

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