Zephaniah 2:1-3 (ESV)

[1] Gather together, yes, gather,

O shameless nation,

[2] before the decree takes effect

—before the day passes away like chaff—

before there comes upon you

the burning anger of the LORD,

before there comes upon you

the day of the anger of the LORD.

[3] Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,

who do his just commands;

seek righteousness; seek humility;

perhaps you may be hidden

on the day of the anger of the LORD.

Judgment is coming. What counsel does God have? He doesn’t say, arm yourselves because the enemy is going to invade. He doesn’t say, educate yourself because false religions are coming. He didn’t say, run and hide in order to survive. He said, “Seek the LORD…seek righteousness, seek humility” (Zeph 2:3). It reminds me of the Psalmist’s words, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Ps 20:7).

It is amazing how often those of us who claim faith in God turn to self-effort in times of trouble. Instead of seeking God we seek protection. Instead of seeking righteousness we seek safety and survival. Instead of seeking humility we seek self-sufficiency. We run to weapons, education, the bank, and even the government, but we fail to run to God.

It makes me wonder how different our lives and our world might be if we took God’s challenge here seriously. What might it look like for the people of God to truly seek the LORD? What would it look like for his Church to truly seek righteousness and humility? What if we actually relied on the Lord instead of just talking about it? How might our world and our lives be different? Maybe we should give it a try.