The last couple of mornings I have been reading in Zephaniah. Zephaniah delivers a message of both judgment and hope to the people. Both play a part in forming a complete picture of what will one day come – the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.
“On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Zephaniah 3:20, NLT)
The prophet gives the people hope and reason to seek and faithfully wait for God. Many times unless we look at the Hebrew language of the text, we can miss the depth of meaning:
“This text does not simply say that Yahweh will give his redeemed fame and acclaim. Instead, the verse declares that Yahweh will set his people in the center of the world “for a name and for praise.” Whose name and whose praise is at the fore? The closest parallel suggest that Yahweh’s worth and honor is the ultimate goal of the new creation. It is God’s name, God’s fame that is to be exalted in the lives of his saints.”
(from Devotions on the Hebrew Bible by Milton Eng & Lee M. Fields, General Editors page 109)
Can it be we have it all wrong? We spend our lives seeking success. But what exactly is success and by what measure is it determined? We work all our days to amass money and homes. With the development of social media, we try to build a platform or a following as if those numbers indicate our success, popularity, or worth.
The devotional continues:
“The ultimate end of new covenant transformation is worship. All things are from God, through God, and to God (Rom. 11:36) … It is about his glory, his Son, his greatness, his exaltation among the people of the planet.”
Paul pointed us to this very same thought as he wrote Colossians 3:17 –
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
All we do. All we say. All of our life is to be a representation of our Lord, of His work in and through our lives. We may do good works, but through them may others not see us but see Christ.
“May your life be marked by the matchless worth of God in Christ, that all “may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).”
The devotional and Scriptures brought me to ask myself, “What is the mark on my life?”
My prayer is for the answer to be – Jesus only.
May others see Jesus only.
Jesus, only Jesus.
Today I am joining … #ChasingCommunity and Heart Encouragement and Tune In Thursday and Moments of Hope and Destination Inspiration .
Beautiful, Joanne. May all we do point to the One””Jesus. xoxo
Have a blessed Easter, Dianne!
There’s so much truth tucked between the lines in those little books of the Minor Prophets. Thanks for bringing us into your very special devotional times.
It’s amazing to me the nuggets that lay hidden!
I needed this reminder today! It’s not about the success of this world, but about bringing glory to God’s Name. Thank you for sharing this truth! Visiting from #DestinationInspiration. 🙂
I’m so glad you did stop here as you encouraged me. May you and yours have a blessed Easter!
Dear Joanne, thank for your gentle words about the importance of keeping Jesus the focus of everything we say and do. Abundant blessings as you celebrate Resurrection Day!
Thank you, Alice, and may you and yours have a blessed Easter!
Amen, friend. May it ever be so. My prayer too. — May we seek to draw attention to Him alone. He must increase, we must decrease. (Jn. 3:30) — Happy Easter, friend. xoxo
Brenda, that verse has been on my mind for a few days. May it be so in my life is my prayer!
This is so timely for this Easter weekend, and because I am just now finishing Kris Camealy’s book, “Holey, Wholly, Holy.” In her last chapter she tells about finally coming to the place to be able to recognize that it’s all “By His strength, for His glory.” It’s all for Jesus! Thank you for these words, confirming God’s precious working. May you have a Blessed Easter.
Bettie, I absolutely was blessed to read “Holey, Wholly, Holy” last year and did so again this Easter as well. I highly recommend her book “Come, Lord Jesus” for Advent if you have not read it.
Jesus- only Jesus! Love this. <3
I was reading in John 4 today, and what stood out to me was this- "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, and finishing His work."
I read that part over and over again, making it the prayer of my heart.
I'm tired of clamoring for my idea of success. Success AND satisfaction to Jesus simply means doing the will of God for today. May my desire be Jesus- only Jesus!
Rachel, I love the rendering of you have shared from John 4. May we as well be nourished from God’s will, His work, and His Word.
Jesus only. Amen.
Thank you, friend, for the reminder ♥
Lori
Only Jesus. Amen. Great post Joanne. Love how you pointed us from Zephaniah to the New Testament.