God's passion

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Our reading today is a little tough at first. There are three main ideas: first, God promises to welcome new people in the family of faith. Second, God promises to break down the pride of people in Israel so the humble might be lifted up. And finally, God promises to make the people of Israel secure. What comes across so clearly is God's love for his people. The victory God promises here comes true in Jesus Christ's incarnation, ministry, death and resurrection. God's redemption will one day be complete and peace will reign.
God bless,
Sam


Zephaniah 3:8-20
⁸Therefore wait for me, says the Lord, for the day when I arise as a witness. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all the heat of my anger; for in the fire of my passion all the earth shall be consumed.


⁹At that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord. ¹⁰From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, my scattered ones, shall bring my offering. ¹¹On that day you shall not be put to shame because of all the deeds by which you have rebelled against me; for then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. ¹²For I will leave in the midst of you a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord— ¹³the remnant of Israel; they shall do no wrong and utter no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. Then they will pasture and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.


¹⁴Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! ¹⁵The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. ¹⁶On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. ¹⁷The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing ¹⁸as on a day of festival. I will remove disaster from you, so that you will not bear reproach for it. ¹⁹I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. ²⁰At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes, says the Lord.