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We might be very dazzled by the 'fun' lives our peers lead. Despite the allure, how can we choose to pursue a life that is more edifying and respectful of boundaries?

Do you see it? Thin mist covers the sky as dawn breaks through, Roaring waves surge, sweeping away the earth’s greyness, Clanking steel chariots of raging fire, Silently approaches the distance with great might. Do you see it? The fire first turns left — Standing tall, the dreamlike glorious city of Sodom. Carefully crafted marble slabs, dazzling gold-lined curtains. In an instant, the Scroll of Judgement with red flames in the sky, consumes every mute and decadent luxury, Scattering vast ashes of justice. Do you see it? The fire then turns right— Merchants gather like clouds under Babylon. The immoral woman, whose body is covered with blasphemous names. Evil overflows the vessel like an erupting volcano, pouring down on the sky-high Tower of Babel. In an instant, the ground reflects a crimson flame. The Tower of Babel is but a piece of wood, Crackling in the flames, Every inch of fiber screams in agony. Do you see it? The fire then approaches you. Holding on to gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and straw, How are you planning to build? Where is your blueprint? Will your foundation be secure? In an instant, When the raging fire’s final trumpets echo throughout the heavens, Are you Reduced to ashes? Or are you Reborn through the flames? If you see this What will you do?

To be hidden by the Lord, let us earnestly seek the Lord who hides Himself.

A central theme of Zephaniah 1 is God’s judgment. The prophet Zephaniah delivered these warnings during the reign of King Josiah, before the king led the people of Judah back to God. At that time, Judah was steeped in spiritual and moral corruption, prompting God to declare His impending judgment through Zephaniah. One of the primary sins highlighted in this chapter is idolatry. In Zeph 1:4-6, God expresses His anger against: Those who worship Baal, Pagan priests, Those who worship the host of heaven (the sun, moon, stars, and planets), and Those who swear by both the LORD and Milcom (a false god of the Ammonites). By engaging in these practices, the people of Judah had violated the first two commandments given by God in Exodus 20. God had already warned Israel in Deuteronomy 8:19: "If you by any means forget the LORD your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.” Now, through Zephaniah, God reaffirms this warning, pronouncing judgment upon Judah for their idolatry and unfaithfulness. Notably, Zeph 1:5 condemns those who try to serve both God and false gods, “those who swear oaths by the LORD, but also swear by Milcom. Though some had completely strayed from God, there were also those who strayed to a lesser extent, those who compromised in their loyalty to God, who had not outright abandoned God but attempted to worship both Him and idols. This however was still condemned by God. God demanded their undivided devotion and nothing less than that. God’s expectation of undivided devotion remains the same for us today. What is expected of us is nothing less than our full commitment to Him. While Zephaniah’s prophecy directly foretold Judah’s destruction by the Babylonians, it also foreshadows the final day of judgment, the day when we all face God’s judgement. Judah’s ultimate demise at the hands of the Babylonians serves as a warning for us, showing us the consequences of turning away from God. From their mistakes, we must learn how to avoid spiritual destruction in our own lives. In our busy lives today, we must be careful not to let other priorities take God’s place. While we may not worship any physical idols today, idolatry can still exist in different forms. Anything that consumes our attention more than God—whether success, wealth, relationships, or ambitions—can become our idol. Just as God was displeased with Judah for their divided loyalty, He will also be displeased with us if we allow anything to come before Him. Another key lesson comes from Verse 8, where God pronounces judgment upon "the princes and the king’s children." Throughout the history of Israel and Judah, it was often the leaders and rulers who brought the people into idolatry and sin. While we may not be kings or princes, many of us may be entrusted with positions of leadership—whether as parents, teachers, mentors, or other Church leaders. In these positions of influence and guidance, we must strive to lead others toward God, not away from Him. Finally, Zeph 1:18 reminds us that "neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them." This reminds us again about priorities. No amount of wealth, success, or worldly achievement can save us from God’s judgment. In the end, the only thing that truly matters is our relationship with Him. Nothing we gain in this life can redeem us, only our wholehearted devotion to God can. Therefore, we must carefully examine our priorities: is God truly first, or have idols taken His place?"

Though we may not understand God’s will for us, we must believe that God is in control of all things.

Let us keep ourselves in the grace of God, or we will no longer receive any refuge from God’s fearsome wrath.

God’s declaration against Nineveh reminds us that It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

What are some characteristics of a false prophet?

In all the preceding chapters, a recurring question I have is - why? Why can the people continue in their sinful ways even as some of them have already been taken captive?

Like the four living creatures, may we radiate the fullness of God’s glory in our souls.

Today, the population of people who call themselves Christians is unrivalled. However, the ones Jesus has counted, the ones who have heard and accepted the true word of God in totality, God Himself has numbered.

Have we used our eyes to see, our ears to hear, our lips to preach, our hands to do, and our hearts to receive, understand and accept?