Title: Righteous Wrath/Topic: Judgment Day

Today’s Reading: Zephaniah 1; Zephaniah 2; Zephaniah 3; John 9

Scripture: Zephaniah 1:4-6, 12,
4 "I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the pagan and the idolatrous priests-
5 those who bow down on the roof to worship the starry host, those who bow down and swear by the LORD and who also swear by Molech, [b]
6 those who turn back from following the LORD and neither seek the LORD nor inquire of him.
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, 'The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.'

Observation: It is out of vogue to talk about God's wrath in churches these days. But God's wrath is spoken of quite a lot in the Bible. It is something we need to understand if we are believers. God's wrath is righteous and is necessary. If there were no consequences to sin, everyone would do as they pleased without regard to the harm they did to others. There could never be peace on earth or a heaven. Notice that God's judgment is poured out on those who try to serve other gods and also serve the only true God. We cannot serve two masters. God is righteous; his laws for living a good life harm no one and form the basis for a loving, peaceful society. The other gods indulge every form of sensuality and brutality. God also judges the complacent. Now that is one verse that really hits home for most American Christians! We are called to be those who preserve life and show God's light by loving others. If we sit on our duffs and entertain ourselves without trying to right wrongs in this world and praying for God to work, we are in grave danger of facing God's wrath ourselves. Many have argued to me that if God is love then how could he condemn anyone to hell. It is BECAUSE he is love that he must do just that. He gives everyone a chance to do right and make good choices. If they do not, he must separate them from the rest of the people who have chosen to serve God so that no one will be hurt or harmed. While we are here on earth we get to choose how we want to live and we will suffer as long as there are wicked people on earth. But there will come a time when God judges everyone and the wicked will not be allowed to spend eternity in heaven. Heaven is a place where all sin will be wiped out. Those who have repented of their sin will live there forever with God in peace and harmony. Those who are arrogant and refuse to repent or be corrected will go to eternity and live in a place where no love exists. That will be more torment than any of us can imagine.

Application: We must examine ourselves and repent of any complacency, double-mindedness, deceit, and selfishness we have in our lives. We must submit to the One who loves us and learn to be loving and gracious as He is. He is gentle but also the ultimate Authority who will judge all wickedness. Let us submit to the Lover of our souls.

Prayer: Lord help me! I still sin and am stubborn at times. I repent before you and ask that you cleanse me from all unrighteousness. And help me not only to live by your Word but to proclaim it to all boldly and correctly. I will not be ashamed of the gospel which alone is able to save men. Thank you for your grace O Lord!
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.