Scripture Union Discovery 4th March 2025 Devotional Message for Tuesday
Scripture Union Discovery 4th March 2025 TOPIC: Facing the Consequences
Opening Prayer
Anticipating the events of this day, Father, I look to you. Give me your heart in my conversations, the decisions I make, and any work that I do.
Read ZEPHANIAH 1:14-2:3
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
14 The great day of the Lord is near—
near and coming quickly.
The cry on the day of the Lord is bitter;
the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.
15 That day will be a day of wrath—
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of trouble and ruin,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness—
16 a day of trumpet and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the corner towers.
17 “I will bring such distress on all people
that they will grope about like those who are blind,
because they have sinned against the Lord.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails 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 jealousy
the whole earth will be consumed,
for he will make a sudden end
of all who live on the earth.
Judah and Jerusalem Judged Along With the Nations
Judah Summoned to Repent
2 Gather together, gather yourselves together,
you shameful nation,
2 before the decree takes effect
and that day passes like windblown chaff,
before the Lord’s fierce anger
comes upon you,
before the day of the Lord’s wrath
comes upon you.
3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered
on the day of the Lord’s anger.
Reflect
What makes you really angry? Have you ever let your anger take over so you did something you now regret?
The phrase the ‘day of the Lord’ appears first in Amos (5:18–20). God’s people had looked forward to it as a day of victory and vindication, but the prophets turned that on its head: look at the way Zephaniah describes what it will actually be like in verses 15–17. His words echo what God did to Egypt centuries before, and now will do across the whole earth, including his own people. Even the tactic of buying off an invading army won’t work on that day (1:18).
How do you feel when you read words like these about God’s ‘fierce anger’ (2:2)? Do they make you shudder? Are you unsettled? Do you wonder how the same God who gave us Jesus could speak like this?
There are three things we might say. First, God’s ‘wrath’ and ‘jealousy’ are not like ours: there is no malice or spite but only holiness and righteousness. Secondly, sin is far more serious than sneaking an extra chocolate, or even cheating on your taxes: sin is us rejecting our Creator. Thirdly, even as God pronounces judgment, he offers hope to those who repent (2:1–3). There is still time.
Apply
Recall times when you have gotten really angry. If you can, confess them to God now.
Closing prayer
Father, as I confess my times of anger to you, I come with a repentant heart, asking that you help me to change, to seek you, and do what you command.
Scripture Union Discovery 4th March 2025 Devotional © 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved
