“…I will search Jerusalem with candles…” Zephaniah 1:12 kjv
“At that time I, the Lord, will search Jerusalem with lamps. I will punish those who are satisfied with themselves, who think, ‘The Lord won’t help us or punish us.’” NCV
What were people thinking about ‘what kind of God they have’? They believed that God would not help them; neither would God punish them. Some people who lived in Judah had a view of God that God was not actively involved in their everyday’s lives. They felt like God was not with them because God was too busy being God. They believed that God would not punish sin among His people because they were simply God’s people.
Whoa! Does God really accept that? He spoke to Zephaniah what He planned to do with the people who thought that. It was around 630 BC. He said to Zephaniah, “I will search Jerusalem, the people with lamps.” He shone light unto their thoughts and God told Zephaniah to warn them of the judgment day. God did indeed hold them accountable (responsible) for those sins they refused to abandon (give up). The Day of Judgment would come to them.
What does that apply to us? We need to remember that God is not distant or far away from us that God does not see what we do. We need to remember that God does get involved in the affairs of humans. It means He cares what is happening to us. God will reward those who seek Him constantly. He will also judge those who turn away from Him and continue to do things that are not pleasing to Him. I pray that God helps us to stay true to Him. Let us be conformed to the image of His Son (Roman 8:29). This is God’s goal for us to be like His Son, Jesus Christ. He shared the gospel, He heals, He loves and He shows mercy. He helped those in need. So we be like Jesus.
