adminThe book of Zephaniah is a short one, with only three chapters, which tells us that God will deal with evil, and a day will come when He will save, heal, bring back, and appoint us for praise.
“Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, and gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame.”
Zephaniah 3:19
Total turnaround for God’s glory is what you and I expect during this anniversary celebration, and praise God, this is affirmed in Proverbs 23:18, which states, “For surely there is an end [hereafter; future] and thine expectation [hope] shall not be cut off.”
- Pray and thank God for this promise, that your hope will not be cut off.
- Pray that your expectations will not be cut off or disappointed during this prayer.
- Our text begins with, “Behold, at that time …” [Zeph. 3:19]
Everybody say, “at that time.” Repeat, “at that time.”
Normally, when one says at that time, it means in the future. Well, I confirm to you that the time is beginning now, because I am sure you have been waiting. You have been waiting for the disease in your body to be cured; waiting for the infidelity in your marriage to end; waiting for the various sufferings brought about by government policies to end; waiting for the division in the church to end; waiting for hard work that brings no money to end, etc. I am sure you are waiting. I pray, in Jesus’ name, that now shall be the time that God will begin your turnaround.
- I hear the word of God say in Isaiah 49:8 that, “this is what the LORD says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances,” (NIV).
- Pray that God will let today be the day of His favor for you.
- Pray that He will help you with the issues that are heavy on your heart and the responsibilities of life that you are carrying.
- Pray that the good Lord will save you and restore to you all that has been taken away from you.
- Next, God says, “I will deal with all who afflict you …” [Zeph. 3:19]
Surrounding nations had always oppressed and afflicted the nation of His people, but now God promised that He would deal with those oppressing nations. I decree, in the mighty name of Jesus, that today, God will deal with all forms of oppression and affliction in your life.
- The “I” here is the Lord Himself. The “I am that I am.” The One who is making the promise of turning your life around is the self-existing God. He was, He is, and will always be. He is supreme and faithful to fulfill whatever He promises to do. Apostle Paul said that he was fully persuaded that God was able to fulfill His promise. I’d like you to be fully convinced, too.
- Song: God is able to do whatever He promises to do; Don’t give up on God, for He won’t give up on you; He is able.
- Pray that God will give you the faith to receive your turnaround today, in Jesus’ name.
- In Isa. 49:25, it is written, “But thus says the LORD: ‘Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children.”
- God will contend with all the evil thoughts that wage war against your mind.
- He will contend with the works of flesh and the lusts that contend with the Holy Spirit in your life.
- He will contend with the sicknesses and diseases that contend with your health, in the mighty name of Jesus.
- Song: God is able to do whatever He promises to do; Don’t give up on God, for He won’t give up on you; He is able.
- God continues to say, “I will save the lame, …” [Zeph. 3:19]
You know that when a person is lame, having physical disabilities, discrimination and exclusion will be the experience of such a person.
- In Matthew 11:5, we hear that Jesus healed all manner of sicknesses and made the lame to walk.
- Wherever you are weak, physically, emotionally, financially, academically, spiritually, or elsewhere, you are healed in the mighty name of Jesus.
- In Isaiah 35:3-6, God asks me to “Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees! / Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution, He will come to save you.” / Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. …”
- “and gather those who were driven out;” [Zeph. 3:19]
This refers to the gathering of those who have scattered. Some people do not know where their loved ones are; God will bring them back. Some relationships have scattered; God will restore. Some children have gone astray and caused sorrow for parents; God will bring the hearts of the children back to Himself, and your joy shall return.
- Hear what God says in Isaiah 49:22-23: “This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and raise My banner to the peoples. They will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders. / Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow to you facedown and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in Me will never be put to shame.”
- Finally, God says, “I will appoint them for praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame.” [Zeph. 3:19]
In this season, God wants to exchange your shame for fame. He wants to swap your sorrow for praise. Halleluiah! See Isa. 61:7, where God says, “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore, in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.”
- Isaiah 60:14-15 says, “The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. / Whereas you have been forsaken and despised, with no one passing through, I will make you an everlasting pride, a joy from age to age.”
When we talk of total turnaround, as our theme says, God affirms it in Jeremiah 30:17-20, saying, “But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD, because they call you an outcast, Zion, for whom no one cares.” / This is what the LORD says: “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings. And the city will be rebuilt on her own ruins, and the palace will stand in its rightful place. / Thanksgiving will proceed from them, a sound of celebration. I will multiply them, and they will not be decreased; I will honor them, and they will not be belittled. …”
If you believe these words of the Lord, receive them, in Jesus’ name.
