2026 Pentecost Devotions III
Monday, November 9
Zephaniah 1:7, 12-13
7 Be silent before the Lord God,
for the day of the Lord is at hand!
The Lord has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated his guests.
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the people
who settle like dregs in wine,
those who say in their hearts,
“The Lord will not do good,
nor will he do harm.”
13 Their wealth shall be plundered
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them.
“… 7 Be silent before the Lord God, for the day of the Lord is at hand! …”
We had arrived in Paris on the afternoon train. After settling into our apartment, we walked down to the corner to have a nice supper. It was pleasant outside, so following our meal, we walked across the Seine toward the cathedral. The streets were alive with people. Nothing, however, prepared us for the vision that awaited. As we rounded the corner and into the plaza, there was the magnificent façade of Notre Dame Cathedral. It was incredible. Lit up, with crowds gathered at its base, it took my breath away. All I could do was stand in silence before the grandeur and awesome power the lay before us.
It’s hard to imagine what it will be like to stand before the Lord of Hosts – to be in the presence of the Almighty. My guess is that, like our experience before Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, we will be dumbstruck – awed by the magnificent majesty of the Lord. The only response will be total silence – unable to speak.
Perhaps that’s what Zephaniah is talking about. When the Lord comes, despite all the hype and glory, despite all the plans to sing God’s song and praise the Wonderful One, I suspect that our response will be silence – perfect silence – as we are enthralled and awed by the power and majesty of the Almighty.
Prayer: Come, Lord Jesus, and awe us by Your coming. Amen.