Zephaniah 3:14-20

Introduction: How many of us are going thru some kind of trouble or trial? Probably all of us. Zephaniah the prophet, (yes, it’s in our Bibles – pages may be stuck together??) warns Judah the “Day of the Lord” is coming…. this was partially fulfilled when the Babylonians invaded the southern kingdom of Judah. Later, during the tribulation and into the millennium, it will be totally fulfilled. But during the “bad times,” our GREAT GOD will bring “glad times,” because He is a “mighty sovereign Lord” who rules and reigns! In other words, BLESSINGS flow from burdensome trials. Three (3) biblical principles surface from the writings of the prophet, which were written during dreadful days much like today.

1. Will you ask Jesus for His PERFECT PEACE & ABSOLUTE ASSURANCE because He’s in Control? (Zephaniah 3:15, 16)

“The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel….thou shalt not see evil anymore. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.”

    • Why? Because Jesus overcame the enemy (v 15)

    • Why? Because the enemy wants us to live in FEAR (v 16)

2. Will we believe Jesus for His STRENGTH and SECURITY because He’s in, over, and with us? (Zephaniah 3:17)

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

    • Strength & security is ours… because we’re never alone (v 17)

    • Strength & security is ours because He’s rejoicing over us (v 17) 

3. Will we REST in Jesus’ ACCEPTANCE and AFFIRMATION because of His unconditional love? (Zephaniah 3:17, 20)

“At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.”

   • Rest In Peace & have security in His great Love (v 17)

   • Rest In the Tests of Faith which will turn into Testimonies of Faith 

Conclusion: The way to find “Perfect Peace,” “Strength and Security,” and “Acceptance & Affirmation” is thru the LOVE of our Lord Jesus Christ. Even though we may be going thru troubles and trials, knowing He’s with us and He will bring about good out of bad should cause us to “TRIUMPH thru TRIALS”!