Bible Studies

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BY COMMENTING
Leave Comment Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article

Track Writer

Add to Favorites

by Gary Sims
12/07/03
Not For Sale
Author requests article critique

The Scriptures
Zephaniah 3:14-20 – The Candle of Song

Background:

The Kings of Judah continue to neglect the warnings of prophets such as Zephaniah. They are worshipping idols and neglecting the teachings of the law as handed down by Moses. Verses 12-13, just prior to today’s lesson, provides us with an understanding that Zephaniah and the other prophets recognize that there is a core group of believers that keep God’s message and hope alive. This group is known as the “Remnant” and it is to these people today’s verses are written: “But I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid.”

Key Verses: (NIV)

14: “Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,
O Daughter of Jerusalem!” – Singing is a cure for depression and hopelessness.
15: “The LORD has taken away your punishment; He has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.” – This is the promise of eternal peace that God has available for all who follow Him.
17: “The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” – “Emmanuel,” God with us. He is always with us.
20: “At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes,” says the LORD.” – God’s promise of redemption for all who choose to follow Him.

Points to Contemplate:

Are you a remnant? When you look around at the world, does it seem that very few people are leading “holy” lives? Do you wonder, at times, if you are the only one trying to follow God’s teaching; the only one not giving in to the temptations and life-styles of our modern society? When you see evidence of sexual indulgences exploding around you, when you hear endless stories of theft and graft, and when you witness the erosion of core-family values and declining church attendance, do you become depressed and anxious about the future? In the midst of all these things that cause your worry and despair, can you be “content with who you are and where you are, unanxious, that you will live at peace?” (Zeph:3:13, MSG)
Do you burst out in song? Zephaniah is suggesting that singing is a cure for anxiety, fear, and worry. When things are getting on top of you and pushing you down, when nothing seems to make sense and you have lost all signs of hope, do you sing? Have you experienced the power of music in your life where just the right song with the perfect message of hope comes across the radio as you are driving through town? Does this show the critically important role that Christian music can play in our lives? Should you be dwelling within the power of this music more often? Should you be turning off the radio stations that profess “easy rock,” “music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s…,” “news-talk radio,” “24-hour news,” and, instead, immerse yourself in the hopeful messages of Christian music?
Do you feel that God is with you? That He takes great delight in you? Do you feel His quiet love? What steps can you take to feel His presence in your life? Do you need to ponder on His presence more often? Should you look to all things that happen in your life and wonder if God had something to do with them? When a song on the radio suddenly strikes exactly the right message to cure your broken heart, do you recognize that God is singing to you? God promises to always be with us. What can you do to make this promise come alive in your life?

Promises of the Gospel:

Music is more than a nice element to a worship service. One aspect to singing is to praise God in song. However, there is an equally important reciprocal benefit in music when we come to realize that He is also rejoicing over each us with singing. God has created music in order that we can be filled with hope and that we are able to feel His loving presence at all times. At anytime in our lives when we feel isolated, depressed, and alone, music is the cure; music becomes the medium through which God reveals His quiet love and great delight in us. Through music, peace is available. Peace for our troubled hearts. Peace for our hurts. Peace for our isolation. In song, God gives you peace, sweet peace.

For this third week in Advent, we light the Candle of Song.

FUMC Devotionals

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE

Reader Count & Comments

Date

Read more articles by Gary Sims or search for other articles by topic below.

Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)

Read more by clicking on a link:
Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You

...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19

Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38

LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE

FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.