Zephaniah 3:16-20. Zephaniah is such a short book but this is the second time in a few weeks I've gotten a reading from it! God must really want me to pay attention to Zephania. This reading comes from the end of the book. My last reading was from the beginning and was about the absolute destruction that was coming in the day of God's wrath. God was very angry and there was no placating him, all the earth was to be consumed in the fire of his wrath. This reading, though, is from the end, and is telling Zion not to fear or grow weak. The Lord is in her midst and he is a mighty warrior. He will give her victory in this time of distress, and renew her in his love. He will remove disaster from her and deal with all of her oppressors. It will be a time of rejoicing, as he saves the lame and the outcasts, gathers everyone together, and makes Zion known and praised. He will restore her fortunes before her eyes.

This is what we are waiting for right now - the wrongdoers to be exposed and punished and the faithful to be released from their oppressors. The world is in a very, very bad place right now. I, and many others, know that we are being oppressed, manipulated, lied to, and controlled. This is causing everyone great anxiety, even if they do not realize the cause of their anxiety, and is causing people to harm themselves and others either because of the anxiety, or because of their mistaken faith in their oppressors and the lies they are being told. We do not know why this is being permitted by God, nor do we know who, precisely, is doing this to us, although it is very clear to me that it is the devil behind it all pulling the strings. He's having a field day right now!

The only thing we can do in the midst of this chaotic evil is follow God's commandments and stay faithful to him. He will save us when the time is right. He will restore our fortunes before our very eyes. That time is coming, but we do not know when. I hope it comes soon, but I have to live with the fact that it might not come in my lifetime. It will, though, come for all of humanity at some point. The promise has been made. And if it does not come during my lifetime, it will come for me in the next.

He will gather us in and bring us home and restore our fortunes. I can't wait!