The Day of Pure Speech
By Dean Collins
It hasn’t happened yet, but oh, how we long for it and can pray for this glorious day to arrive! Zephaniah 3:9 speaks of a day that will ultimately arrive: “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord.”
Unfortunately, the day of “pure speech” has yet to arrive here in the United States and in any other country in the world. A literal translation for “pure speech” in this passage is, “pure lip” and has the meaning of lips that speak with no deceit, no lies, and do not worship false gods. Sadly, we read, hear, see, and often believe things that are filled with deception, falsehood, and celebrate the pursuit of both philosophies and possessions that pursue lies over God and his kingdom.
But Zephaniah said that ultimately there would be a day when our King returns and we will all speak truthfully and be on the same page, or in his words, “Serve him with one accord.” The prophet described a time when we will see no more rebellion, no more arrogance, and where our King will dwell with us, providing a place where we can live without any fear. Oh, what a day that will be!
In many places in the Bible, we are instructed to sing praises to God and to shout and sing with joy because of God’s glory. We sing praises in gratitude that the creator of the universe made us in his image and calls us to participate in his kingdom work now and forever. But did you know that God also sings?
We often talk about the saving work of God through Christ who died for our sins. And the apostle Paul often tells us to rejoice because of what God has done for us. But in verse 17, we learn that God is right here, right now, in the middle of everything in our lives and in our world. And not only is he with us, but he is also rejoicing over us with gladness. He is happy to be with us. His loving presence calms us, and he exults over us with loud singing!
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Until that day when Christ returns to restore all that is broken, it is our privilege to participate in God’s ultimate plan of renewal and restoration by sharing the good news of Jesus with those around us and by daily praying that God’s kingdom come now in us and through us as it is in heaven. And along the way, we rejoice and sing to God just as he rejoices over us as we pursue his will over ours.
Father, forgive us for the many times that our speech has been filled with falsehoods and our worship has been of things of this world. Today we know that you are with us, and as we calm ourselves in your presence, we are calmed by your love. Today we praise you and thank you for allowing us to be a part of your kingdom work. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Zephaniah 3:9-20 ESV
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