The Church Restored (Psalm 119:49-50) (Zephaniah 3:1-2; 3:5)

 

Remember your promise to me, for it is my only hope.  Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.  

1) God is always right

I might not have all the answer to life, but God certainly does and to him I look for the answers.  Because, he is always right in his judgment and correction.  How would I dare say that he is wrong then?  As a result, his judgment, discipline and his correction are always motivated by his love and kindness.  For that reason, you must forget your opinion of him as a discipliner and 'old man with a stick' because you will miss whatever is coming.  So, welcome him at last and you will find his sweetness.  Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30---in verses24-25 This servant saw things different than the other two servant and was obviously afraid of the harshness of the Master.  The principle of investment looked different to each based on their perception of it.  Consequently, the same is for you as you look at discipline, the principle could be favorable to you, but will you see it or hide from it?

But the Lord is still in the city, and he does no wrong. 

                                       (Zephaniah 3:5)

2) Accepting his Correction

Now we read from Zephaniah3:1-2

How terrible it will be for rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime. It proudly refuses to listen even to the voice of the Lord.  No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction.  It does not trust the Lord or draw near to its God.

 Let's break it into point form:

1) It proudly refuses to listen to the voice of the Lord

2) No one can tell it anything

3) It refuses all correction

4) It does not trust the Lord

5) It does not draw near to its God

 

3) On the Path of Restoration (Zephaniah 3:20)

I have not arrived and no one has, nevertheless praise God I am on the path of recovery which is the path of restoration.

The first step for recovery for Alcoholic Anonymous is admitting there is a problem and I had to do that.  It was hard, but it was worthwhile because I see Jesus now more clearly.  That's the best thing about correction, it improves your vision to 20/20

What we have seen in 2020 is our attitude to Covid-19 and to authority, to God.  As an example of rebellion, some people wear their masks under their nose.  Today, I saw in the news written 'that's as if they were wearing no mask at all'.

Rebellion is everywhere may it not be in you and if it is in you accept correction.  Because of it, I had to admit it, I was rebellious.   But now I am recovering and watching and listening to God's voice about correction.  Consequently, I am now excited about His Word.

 On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again.  I will give you a good name, a name of distinction among all the nations of the earth.  They will praise you as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes.  I, the Lord, have spoken.

                                  (Zephaniah 3:20)

A good Reputation

A good name is equal to a good reputation.  The Church and you who accept his correction and discipline will have a good reputation because the Lord will restore to you whatever you have lost in your walk.  The healing process must start and so why not...Now?

 

Have a great day!