Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 October 2022 Devotional Message for Monday– Inescapable judgment is coming
Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 October 2022 Devotional for Monday
TOPIC: Inescapable judgment is coming
OPENING PRAYER: Lord, I pray that you lead me into your truth as I meditate on your word in Jesus name.
INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ZEPHANIAH
Zephaniah ministered in the final decades of the Southern Kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Josiah who had attempted to bring about real change in the land by removing the idols and restoring the temple worship of God alone (640‐609 BC). Unfortunately, the people continued in their evil practices despite Josiah’s reforms. Zephaniah, who was a contemporary of Jeremiah, wrote to announce God’s coming judgment on Judah for prevailing injustice and covenant unfaithfulness which would lead to destruction of Jerusalem and end in exile. But amid judgment, the covenant‐keeping God, in His mercy, would (will) preserve a remnant. The theme of the book is God’s justice, which is reflected in the recurring phrase “the day of the Lord” (1:7, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18; 2:2, 3; 3:8, 11 and 16) and God’s love which is reflected in the promise of preservation and restoration (2:3; 3:20).
SCRIPTURE: Zephaniah 1:1‐18
Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 October 2022 Message
This message of impending judgment was sent to the people of Judah about twenty years before God finally executed it when the Babylonian army invaded Jerusalem. Read vs.2‐6 and 14‐16 again and observe the graphic description of the judgment day. Imagine for a moment that you were in Jerusalem as Zephaniah gave this prophecy, how would you have felt?
How would you have responded? See vs.5,6,12 and 17 for God’s accusation against His people for which He would punish them and devastate their land. Are you guilty of any of such sins also? The term “the day of the Lord” (vs.7,14) is not only about the judgment on Judah; it also points to the world’s great judgment (Revelation 20:11‐15).
God will punish every act of evil and wickedness. No one will escape it (v.12). Walls and sophisticated defence installations will give no protection on that day (vs.14‐16). Wealth, money and position will not save anyone from it (v.18). The only thing that will count on that day is salvation in Christ Jesus (John 3:16‐18; Acts 4:12). That day is very near (vs.7,14)!
Question(s) for Reflection
• What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Is there any warning for me to heed?
Practice/Word Application
So what? How, like Zephaniah, are you sounding the warning alarm of the coming judgment to those around you?
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
• Thank you Lord, for saving my soul from the coming judgment through your redemptive work. Help me to be faithful in warning others about the coming judgment.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Isaiah 43:5
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Nehemiah 4‐6; Job 38.
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN
Mon, 17-Oct-2022
PRAYER FOCUS
NATIONAL WEEK OF SACRIFICE 17TH ‑ 23RD
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrew 13:16
THANK GOD FOR:
☀ His promise to us His children as we give sacrificially.
☀ His provision that has enabled us, and still enables us to share in love despite the situation in the country
PRAY FOR:
☛ This year’ s National week of sacrifice that our brethren will not close their hearts despite the hard times we are in.
☛ Willingness and grace to release out of all that the Lord has blessed us with
☛ The blessings of God upon our brethren, as they pour themselves out and give sacrificially to the needy and the poor among us
PRAY AGAINST:
⚠ Closing our hearts and failing to share this year, because of the hardship around.
⚠ Failing to give to those who beg from us, or lend to those who wish to borrow from us.
Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 October 2022. Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 October 2022