Finding Hope in Zephaniah 3:17's Promise
- Jennifer Wake
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
Have you looked at the news? Or are you hiding from it? The wars around the globe and the fighting in our own backyard cause my heart to race, my mind to worry, and my prayers to flow. The riots in cities and the neighbors hurting neighbors remind me to share the love of God. The Old Testament is filled with challenging times, yet it offers hope. God is hope, love, and mercy.
This week, my devotion time with God is in the book of Zephaniah. One passage jumped out at me, Zephaniah 3:17. In times of distress and uncertainty, this verse spoke peace, love, and strength over me.
The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you by his love;
He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17
At the heart of this verse is God's unwavering love, and finding hope in Zephaniah's words. He promises to be with His people, to be with them, to save them, to take great delight in them. His love will quiet their hearts, silence their worries, and strengthen them during trials.
The term “a mighty one” comes from one of the names of God, El Gibhor. He is mighty to save. He is omnipotent, stronger than any enemy. The term Gibhor is used to describe King David’s strongest men. These Mighty Men were faithful and courageous soldiers. They followed David into many battles. This term should remind us that God, our mighty one, can rescue us, but sometimes we have to go through a trial instead of being immediately rescued. During times of challenge, God will quiet our worries and doubts. His love will waft over us and comfort us.
Zephaniah is writing to an audience experiencing times of great trial, and they are filled with fear and uncertainty. The Assyrian Empire began to crumble. This allowed King Josiah to tear down idols and altars to other gods. The prophet Zephaniah worked to remind the people that their foundation is found in their religious beliefs. But hatred filled the streets, and the people did not know where to turn when Zepaniah arrived to share God’s words. (Sounds like what is happening in our world. There is so much chaos, hatred filling the streets, and the people miss the love of God.)
In Zephaniah 1:7, he encourages the people to be silent and reflect on God’s words. He calls the people to seek the Lord, found in his cry in 2:3; seek righteousness and humility as well. Zephaniah 2:15 reminds the people that God is still Jehovah—I AM WHO I AM. Chapter 3 has hope for the people who remain.
What can we learn from Zephaniah?
1. Read and meditate on God’s Word, search for the Hope in the Lord.
2. Seek the Lord. Join a community focused on God.
3. Encourage people around you to return to God, and He will comfort you.
I have written Zephaniah 3:17 on several cards and placed them around my home. I love seeing visual reminders of God’s love and His names. Jehovah Elohim is among us. El Gibhor is our mighty Savior. Abba, Father, whispers over us to calm our fears and shower us with His love. I am finding hope in Zephaniah.
Prayer:
“Lord, watch over us. Guide our country and the world, dear Father. Strengthen our faith and calm our anxious hearts. Amen”
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