Act Before, The Key Word is Before

Zephaniah 2:1-2
Gather together, gather yourselves together,
you shameful nation,
(2) before the decree takes effect
and that day passes like windblown chaff,
before the LORD’s fierce anger
comes upon you,
before the day of the LORD’s wrath
comes upon you.

God will judge the people of Israel and all other nations. God will reward and punish. The day of judgment is referred to as the day of the LORD.

The day of the LORD is the day when the king comes towards the end of the war for the last push and victory. The day of the LORD is the day of decisive victory. The day of the LORD marks the end of the struggle and the ushering in of a peaceful season.

The day of the LORD is the day when God addresses with finality the conduct of Israel and other nations. The day of the LORD is also the end of the world when our current struggles come to the end and a better life is ushered in. The day of the LORD is good news and bad news depending on your relationship with God.

In our text today Zephaniah tells the people of Israel and other nations that the day of the LORD is coming. Then he gives suggestions on how to survive the day of the LORD. He asks them repeatedly (to suggest urgency) that they should gather together.

Gather together! Gather together! This is a call to worship. The best preparation we can make for difficult days ahead of us must include worship. When we worship we acknowledge God’s guidance. When we worship we find certainty in uncertainty and hope in hopelessness. Worship prepares us for the future in this life and for an eternal future in the life to come.

Is life hard? Gather together in worship. Are you stressed? After doing everything you can and should do – gather together in worship. Is it a money problem? Do what you must but gather together in worship. Gather together! Gather together! This is a call to worship in preparation for the coming crisis of the day of the LORD!

Gather together! Gather together! Is a call to surrender to God’s will. It’s a call to the revival of spiritual life and separation from sin. It is a call to the restoration of a relationship with God. Gather together! Gather together! This is a call to be ready for the coming hard times and end of time – the day of the LORD!

When are they to gather together?

New Living Translation
Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the LORD falls and the terrible day of the LORD’s anger begins.

Zephaniah tells them to gather together before judgment begins. Gather together before they run out of time to repent (close of probation). Gather together before God’s anger visits the world. Gather together before the terrible day of the LORD. The keyword is – before. Gather together, before…

Zephaniah suggests that a time comes when it is too late to worship. A time comes when it is too late to seek a good relationship with God. A time comes when it is too late to repent and surrender to God. Gather together before that time. Act before, the keyword is before!

Acting before is being pro-active as opposed to being reactive. Acting before it’s too late is good for our spiritual life. Acting before is also good for other aspects of our life. Act before, the keyword is before!

Act before exams by studying now. Act before retirement by preparing now. Act before you lose your job or the contract is not renewed. Act before you are too old to date and desperation sets in. Act before your children grow too old to be managed. Act before In investments before you need the money. Act before, on your health, before you are told to stop this and that. Act before you get addicted and go down like millions of others who have been brought down by hard drugs. Act before, the keyword is before!

If we learn to act before the worst happens, we will be excellent in all we do. Act before the worst spiritual moments. Acts before the worst financial moments. Act before the worst health moments. Acts before in everything. Act before, the keyword is before!

Help us to act before as a way of life dear God, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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