SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR OCTOBER 18, 2022 (HOPE IN THE FACE OF IMMINENT JUDGMENT)
TOPIC : HOPE IN THE FACE OF IMMINENT JUDGMENT
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that you sanctify my spirit, soul and body as I read your word in Jesus name.
Scripture: Zephaniah 2:1‐15
Question(s) for Reflection
• What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
God’s judgment was coming upon His people. But like a silver lining in the dark cloud, God provides a window of hope in the face of impending judgment. Read vs.1‐3 again and take note of the appeal that Zephaniah makes and the hope that God offers His people. What three things are the people called upon to seek in v.3 to enjoy God’s protection from the coming wrath? How does this apply to us today?
In our post‐modern society, it is not uncommon to hear people mock God, make derogatory comments about the Bible, ridicule Christianity, taunt and persecute us because we are Christians. What hope is there for us in vs.8‐11 and 13‐15? Whatever our present situation, we can find comfort in knowing that God will judge our oppressors and all arrogant enemies of His church (vs,9‐10, 15).
He will preserve and restore His church for the glory of His name (vs.6‐7, 9b). However, on our part, we need to recommit ourselves to Him in total obedience, replace our wrong with right and our humanistic pride with humility (Cf. Micah 6:8; 1 Corinthians 10:6).
Practice/Word Application
What Next: Are you going through some sort of persecution and mockery because of your faith in Christ Jesus? Don’t give up. The Lord will vindicate you soon.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
• Pray for the persecuted Christians around the world that they will find comfort in the promise of God’s word.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with
Deuteronomy 2:7; Nehemiah 7‐9; Job 39
Daily Guide 18th October 2022 | Scripture Union
