Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar! 

      For all the traders are no more; 

      all who weigh out silver are cut off. 

            12       At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, 

      and I will punish the men 

                  who are complacent, 

      those who say in their hearts, 

                  ‘The LORD will not do good, 

      nor will he do ill.’ 

Up until 9/11, the stock brokers and financiers in the towers must have felt like the world was at their feet and they had no need for a God to do good or ill. That was until followers of a false god brought ill down on them. There will be such complacent people on the day of the Lord as Zephaniah and the other prophets called it. This would be the day of judgment for Judah. A particular judgment arrived about 50 years later when Judah fell to Babylon. Zephaniah warned the inhabitants that they were not ready for what was coming but God already promised hope.

We have a “Day of the Lord” coming in our future. Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation promise it. Jesus and Paul spoke of it. The average person, the ones who quote verse 12, will be supremely indifferent to the presence of God. Until that day. On that day, their complacency will crumble as they fall on their knees in the knowledge that God will do what HE wills, not what they think. We who wail in this life, with its financial hardship and health battles, will not need lamps to see the Lord. he will reveal himself in glory. Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord, may we worship you this morning for your power and might, as well as your infinite mercy and love. Help us to worship you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church