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So sing, Daughter Zion! Raise the rafters, Israel! Daughter Jerusalem, be happy! celebrate! God has reversed his judgments against you and sent your enemies off chasing their tails. From now on, God is Israel's king, in charge at the center. There's nothing to fear from evil ever again! God Is Present Among You Jerusalem will be told: "Don't be afraid. Dear Zion, don't despair. Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you. Happy to have you back, he'll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs. "The accumulated sorrows of your exile will dissipate. I, your God, will get rid of them for you. You've carried those burdens long enough. At the same time, I'll get rid of all those who've made your life miserable. I'll heal the maimed; I'll bring home the homeless. In the very countries where they were hated they will be venerated. On Judgment Day I'll bring you back home - a great family gathering! You'll be famous and honored all over the world. You'll see it with your own eyes - all those painful partings turned into reunions!" God's Promise. (Zephaniah 3: 14-20 The Message)
Good day to you dear one! I pray the blessings of the Lord shower down on you and yours today.
Advent is as much looking to the future as well as taking stock in what God has already shared with us. Such is the message of this prophet to the people of God. In the midst of all they had suffered as a result of their unfaithfulness, they could not sing. Sad indeed are those times in our lives when we cannot sing. Think on those times when those around you sang only to have their words bring tears to your life. Such was the despair of God's people. So hear the first words from God to His people, "So sing, Daughter Zion! Raise the rafters, Israel! Daughter Jerusalem, be happy! Celebrate! Such is the coming turn of events that will turn crying into singing. But, he adds that from the moment this message is heard and into the future, God is their king, who is with them in the center of all things. Hear the message even for today, "There's nothing to fear from evil ever again!" God is with you and God is removing evil from your midst! God's love is present to calm you down, and if you listen closely there are songs to be heard speaking his message. All your past sins will be removed as will your sorrows; those who caused all despair will be removed.
Hear the message speaking of what Jesus brought on His first visit to the earth: "I'll heal the maimed; I'll bring home the homeless. On Judgment Day I'll bring you back home - a great family gathering! You'll be famous and honored all over the world. You'll see it with your own eyes - all those painful partings turned into reunions!' God's promise." This is life lived with God. A life without God was what got Israel and Judah in trouble to begin with. It might also be what got us in trouble; when we thought we knew more and didn't need God anymore. Once we realized where we were versus where we could be, life changed for the better, and it still can. Our choice should be to live with the knowledge and surety that God is with us.
PRAYER: Loving Father, bless us and guide us towards a life in abundance, which begins with You walking with us and us trusting You. Guide us away from thoughts that make us choose the wrong thing; for a life lived with You is the best! In Christ Jesus we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Live a life showing others that God is with you.
Eradio Valverde
