Zephaniah 1

Zephaniah writes that God is going to destroy the world.

In verse 2 he writes "I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth."

In verse 17 he writes "I will bring such distress on all people... Their blood will be poured out like dust."

Scary words, but this never happened... We are still here.

So did God bluff?

I think God, compelled by love, changed plans. Instead of sweeping everything away from the face of the earth, He came to earth to live amongst us. Instead of getting rid of us, God joined us.

Instead of pouring out our blood, Jesus poured out his blood... In place of ours.

But we still become dust. Last night we had our Ash Wednesday service and were reminded that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Each and every person alive has one thing in common, we are all going to die. We will all be swept off the face of the earth someday.

But that's ok, because we can leave our bodies behind when leave this world... We won't need them anymore. We won't have any use for the cancers and pains that settle in these imperfect piles of skin and bones.

God will give us new life. A life free from pain and sorrow, from greed and guilt, from debt and death.

A life of joy.

We need not fear the broom when it sweeps toward us.