“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. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach. Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you in, at the time when I gather you together; for I will make you renowned and praised among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.”
Zephaniah 3:17-20
Yahweh, our God, is in our midst. This is the promise that Zephaniah declares to the people of Judah. This promise is a source of joy, even in the face of the trials they are enduring because of their sin. The promise that Yahweh is in their midst is followed by a series of declarations of what He will do at the appointed time.
When Jesus came at His first advent, He was Immanuel, God dwelling in the midst of His people. He came to save the lame and gather the outcast. He demonstrated His purpose in coming as He healed the sick and ushered in God’s kingdom. All the actions of Jesus during His earthly ministry are also awaiting His second advent, the final in-gathering of God’s people and the restoration of all creation.
This all means that we wait with confidence and rejoicing in the promises of God. Even in the midst of our struggles in this fallen world, we have the hope that Jesus will turn our shame into the eternal praise of God’s exulted ones. As you hear the Word proclaimed and receive the blessed Sacrament, may you know that the Lord is in your midst so that you can wait on His return in faith and hope.
Prayer – Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Fraternally in Christ,
President Lee Hagan