2026 Pentecost Devotions III
Tuesday, November 10
Zephaniah 1:14-18
14 The great day of the Lord is near,
near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
the warrior cries aloud there.
15 That day will be a day of wrath,
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the lofty battlements.
17 I will bring such distress upon people
that they shall walk like the blind;
because they have sinned against the Lord,
their blood shall be poured out like dust
and their flesh like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the Lord’s wrath;
in the fire of his passion
the whole earth shall be consumed,
for a full, a terrible end
he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.
“… 15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, …”
This sounds a whole like the campaign advertisements leading up to last week’s election. Both sides, red and blue, seemed to be predicting the apocalypse should the other party win. If you listened closely, you could probably even hear the drumbeats calling forth the end of civilization as we know it. Thankfully, Armageddon was avoided, and life continued.
Too often, we get caught up in all the end-times chatter either from the media or pulpit. Fear is a proven motivator for people. Pronouncing the coming of a final chapter in world history has always drawn attention. “The End is Near” signs continue to flourish because many respond in fear to the slightest changes, inevitably anticipating the end of all things.
Zephaniah’s words are directed at the people of Judah during the reign of King Josiah. He reminds the people that, if they continue on their present course, their faithlessness will lead to their destruction. Turn away from your sins, the prophet encourages, and rebuild your relationship with the Lord. In that way, you may avoid devastation.
While the apocalyptic nature of the prophet’s words was directed to ancient peoples, the meaning for us remains. Faithlessness leads to destruction; faithfulness leads to peace, light, and life.
Prayer: Lord, as you loved Your people Israel, so too You love us Your children. Cast out our fear, fill us with hope, and inspire us to faith and trust in Your promise of life. Amen.