Most days I make myself a whipped coffee. Truthfully, it is more milk than coffee. But the drink is whipped with a whisk until it is a thick and chocolate creamy with that touch of coffee. Oh, did I forget to mention the chocolate? I use Nestle’s cocoa powder for the chocolate hit. I am a bit leery of that container of cocoa though. It has proven, on one occasion, to be majorly untrustworthy.
Are you familiar with the consistency of cocoa powder? It is one of those substances that seems to be lighter than air. When initially whipping it I have to cover the bowl to keep from having cocoa powder dust all over everything. So what do you think would happen if a container of cocoa, three quarters full, fell from an upper cabinet, the lid pops off, (because it was loose) it flips and crashes to the counter below?
Talk about a nightmare scenario! Yes, this happened. I reached for the container and somehow it slipped out of my hand. It did land on the counter. The shocking end of this story was that it flipped right before it hit. It landed upside down on the counter, perfectly upside down. It did not spill. There was just a little cocoa dust on the counter. I was able to get a cutting board, slide the container off onto the cutting board and have very little cleanup—no huge cloud of cocoa dust covering the entire kitchen!
After that incident. I began putting a rubber band around that container. I was anxious and feared it happening again. Silly little thing to be anxious about, yes. People in life have real anxieties and fears that can keep them from being able to move forward.
There was a time when the people of Jerusalem lived in fear because of impending captivity. In the first chapter of the book of Zephaniah, (one of the minor prophets of Israel,) he warned them that they were getting awfully close to judgement and that it would happen. There was no escaping it. God had already decreed it.
Chapters one and two deal with God’s judgement of Israel and what they would go through during captivity. Around verse nine of chapter three, we see the narrative begin to turn. Then in verse sixteen we hear Zephaniah telling Jerusalem and Zion to listen to what God had to say. He told them that the day would come (after their captivity) when they would no longer have to fear; and that within Zion, the site of the temple, they would be able to do the work they need to be doing, without fear.
He went on to tell them that the Lord God was with them and His mighty power would save them. Not only would He save them but He would also rejoice over them and surround them with His love. His joy would be so complete that He would burst into song over them. He would rescue them and there was no reason to fear. When God’s got you, there is no reason to fear.
The challenge for those following Christ in this generation could be to not be afraid. There is so much around us that is fearful. It is hard to see these things and not have some sense of fear. The things that are right in our physical vision are the things that seem real to us. If what we are seeing is scary, it is a challenge to put it in God’s hands and not be somewhat fearful.
How can we apply this passage to our lives? Do not give fear a chance to sneak in. Just keep moving. Keep doing the next thing, then the next thing and the next thing. If we are not lifting our hands in praise, they should be busy.
Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is with me and is always there to lead me in the paths I need to go. What does this mean to my Faith? This passage strengthens my Faith by reminding me that God will save His people. Being grafted in through Jesus Christ. I am now one of His people! He will be close to me. He will love me so much that He will rejoice over me with song.
Lord, I am so blessed to be loved by You. I am grateful to be part of Your Family and that you have given my soul the protection that goes with that privilege. Please help me trust You completely in every situation and keep fear out of the picture. Thank You for saving me, for loving me, and for illuminating my future with Your care.
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“16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:16-17 (KJV)
“For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.” Psalm 149:4 (KJV)
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11 (KJV)
“For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.” Ezekiel 36:24 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about Him.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
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Blog Image by Katarzyna Fiołek from Pixabay
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 