The Positive Negative

I enjoyed catching up on a sermon preached by Bob Roche when I was away last week which focused on Zephaniah 3.  One thing mentioned that struck me was how a negative can teach a positive.  God summed up sins of His own people Israel in Zephaniah 3:2:  "She has not obeyed His voice, she has not received correction; she has not trusted in the LORD, she has not drawn near to her God."  Because Israel departed from the LORD sin was added upon sin.

Although God's people were perverse and polluted, stubbornly refusing to obey God's voice, this implies He continued to speak to them.  God continued to offer correction to His people despite their refusals.  God remained trustworthy and could be found by them if they would repent and seek Him with their whole hearts.  Isn't the loving pursuit of God amazing?  What grace, that He would continue to express desire for the restoration of people who shunned Him?

The failures of God's people could not be blamed on God remaining silent, His refusal to guide or teach, His reneging on the covenant, or Him abandoning them.  He continued to be faithful though His people were unfaithful.  Let us praise the LORD who seeks the redemption and salvation over all people, for He desires we would repent and turn to God for salvation.