I was reading in Zephaniah the other day and my spirit was drawn to a passage of warning in Chapter 1. “At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent … who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing either good or bad.’” [vs 12]
A few verses after that Zephaniah begins to describe the “Great Day of the LORD” and what it will mean for those who have not heeded God’s warning. But it was verse 12 above that prompted two thoughts. The first is that God dislikes (may I say “hates?”) complacency. Complacency is when we become “settled” in our own self-interests and care not for the things of the LORD. It is when we look at the world and others as if they were but a mirror … “who’s the fairest of the all?”.
The second thought is the punishment that comes to those who think the LORD is a “do nothing” god; that He either doesn’t care or doesn’t have the power to do either good or bad. For some people, God is just not on their radar at all. They care nothing for His will, His Presence, nor His commands. They disregard Him as little more than a fable for the gullible or a crutch for the weak.
When Zephaniah goes on in verses 14-19 to describe the Great and Terrible Day of the LORD, it is not a pretty picture. We must be aware that for believers who are longing for Christ’s appearing, the Day of the LORD will be a delight. We eagerly await the pronouncement from Rev 11:15: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
But for those who are “complacent” about spiritual matters, for those who have regarded the LORD as a “do nothing” god, the Day of the LORD will be devastating. Oh beloved, let us never grow complacent but let us remain vigilant and always looking for His Coming!
