The Certain "May Be"

"Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD'S anger."

Zephaniah 2:3

There is a segment of Bible-believing Christians who tout their authority as children of God by reading passages and "claiming" them because they have appeal--like a person who claims lost property.  It is fine and fitting for Christians to believe the Bible and trust it, but at the same time should realise God has not forgotten His promises, nor is His arm shortened so He cannot save.  If my own forgiveness or salvation rested on my ability to claim anything I would still be hopelessly lost:  it is Jesus who by grace through faith has claimed me.

God's Word is packed with certainties we must believe and expect to see ultimately fulfilled.  But if we will seek righteousness in humility and meekness we will not make demands like a man with legal rights.  When Moses (one of the meekest who ever lived) was challenged by the people, he did not quote Law:  he fell on his face before God.  Jesus walked in meekness and remained silent when He had every right to speak; He did not bristle with threats or ultimatums.  Jesus spoke the truth and committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.  He willingly went to the cross in obedience to God even when there were verses He could have used to justify His self-preservation.

This passage of Zephaniah has what could be called a certain "may be."  God's people faced grave judgment for their sin, and they were exhorted by the prophet to seek the LORD, righteousness, and humility because "...it may be that you will be hidden in the day of the LORD's anger."  There was no demand placed upon God as if He was slave or lackey to man at his bidding, but it would take faith to humble self meekly before God.  What right do we have as God's slaves to demand anything from Him?  If we were to hear a young child made demands of their parents we would view it as bad manners:  how much more when a person arrogantly approaches the Almighty?

There is a passage in the book of Jonah which bears resemblance to this verse.  After Jonah spoke a message of God's coming judgment to the heathen people of Nineveh, his words reached the ears of the king.  The king believed the word of the prophet and commanded a three-day fast from food and water be observed by all people and animals, and all were to be clothed in sackcloth.  He commanded all people cease from their violence and turn to God.  The king did not quote the Law of Moses but fell upon the mercy of God as Moses when he said in Jonah 3:9:  "Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?"  There was no guarantee, no certainty of salvation.  But there remained hope in God and His great mercy.

It seems today there are some people who presume to know what God will do in a particular situation, yet the king of Nineveh made no such claim.  And guess what?  God responded according to the richness of his mercy and grace--not because the king or people of Nineveh had any right to be spared.  Jonah 3:10 says, "Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it."  The works of the Ninevites revealed faith in the power of God to bring disaster upon them and also that God could turn it away.  God has spoken, and we ought to place our faith in Him like king Jehoshaphat who reminded God of His promises and concluded with, "There's nothing we can do, so our eyes are upon you." (2 Chron. 20:12)

Better than clamoring for our rights or claiming our authority, we ought to seek the LORD in meekness, to seek righteousness and humility.  This is the person God certainly hears and answers--not the one who proudly speaks presumptuously.