Important quality of meekness - Zephaniah 2:3

Brothers and sisters. Praise be the name of the Lord. I began another study for today but the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, wanted us to look at Zephaniah 2:3. Let us pray.

Oh Lord, my God. You alone judge the hearts of the meek. Search my heart. If there is anything not of You that is in opposition to You, I lay it Your feet and ask for it to be burned out of me. Please be the wisdom I need as I seek You for plans and next steps. I extol You. Forgive me where I have fallen and not followed You in direction and help me forgive others who have trespassed against me. Help me hear from You in Zephaniah 2:3. Let me be a voice piece for You to help others be hidden in the day of the Lord to come. For I too am a sinner saved by the act of love on that Cross on Calvary. Thank you for saving me. Use me as You see fit. Protect me from the evil one as I seek You to complete this study. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Zephaniah 2:3 (NKJV) reads,

"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."

My God, I seek You! This verse is a command. I see qualities of meekness, righteousness, and humility that the Lord is saying that we need to have so that we may be hidden on the day of His judgment. His response to us is to hide us.

Meek of the earth

I recently studied in Numbers the rebellion that revolted against Moses. There were several. The one that came to mind here is in Numbers 12:3 (KJV), where the Word stated, "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." There had already been golden calf incident that Aaron was a part of in Exodus when Moses was getting the 10 commandments with God on Mt. Sinai. Now Aaron and Miriam were dissatisfied with their positions and went against Moses. When Miriam was struck with leprosy as a judgement from God, Moses fell to his face before God and begged for her to be healed. God did this but not before ensuring Miriam and Aaron understood that God had chosen Moses. Moses reaction every time Israel grumbled and complained at him or came against him, he fell to his face and prayed. He understood the importance of God's promise being extended to the Israelites for others to see. Even though they did not deserve it.

Meekness is not weakness. It is a strength. Understanding your position with reference to our Father in Heaven. Even Jesus considered himself meek and lowly of heart in Matthew 11:29. This was not because He was less than the Father. Rather, as an example to us, that He took on form of flesh as a man to understand our pain and to pay the price for our sin as the spotless Lamb of God. Paul, when speaking to the Corinthians in 2 Cor. 10:1 (NKJV) says, "Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--- who in presence and lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you". This meekness of Christ that Paul brings up is important for us to embrace. Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Yet He was meek for our sake. Sounds like He was fulfilling prophecy again by setting an example for all of us to follow.

Meekness. He went to the Cross for you and for me. Jesus will rule over all on the Earth in Revelation 1:5. The meek SHALL inherit the Earth, as in the New Heaven and the New Earth. Praise Him. To Him be all of the Glory and Power forever and ever!

Who upheld His justice

And Jesus also upholds justice today. Just as God had to rain down His justice to stop the rebellion which was threatening the story of redemption in the wilderness with Moses, He continues even today. He is the one who fights for us, so we need not strive. Remember that our God is a Holy God. He is a just God. He does not miss anything that is done or said on the earth. He is a promise keeping God. He is a covenant keeping God. He placed a meek and humble servant, Moses, in the place of great responsibility to bring His people out of Egypt and so much more. Moses upheld His justice repeatedly. He sought God when He did not know what to do. He did not move until God moved.

Seek righteousness, seek humility

Jesus on the Cross speaking those words, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." A true act of humility. To go to the Cross when He did not have to. To place Himself in our place, sinless and righteous. He never defended Himself yet He was righteous and without any sin. Our greatest example of righteousness and humility is Jesus but we are not able to do this on our own. Praise You Lord for sending us the Holy Spirit!

Just like Jesus, out in our culture, we do not need to defend Jesus. He is GOD. We need to walk in meekness, righteousness, and humility by submitting our lives fully and completely to the Holy Spirit as stated in Romans 8:4 (NKJV), "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

We praise You Lord for the examples of meekness, righteousness, and humility and the ability to trust in Your justice. We understand the importance of this Word in Zephaniah 2:3 for we want to be hid from the terrible day of the God's judgment. Help us to all be a light in the world to the lost and those struggling with their walks with You. May we remember that all have fallen short of the glory of God. That we treat each other with the same loving kindness and long suffering that You give to us moment by moment. May we press in more today and every day after. In Jesus Name. Amen.