Zephaniah 3:9

I actually had an “I can’t believe that was in the Bible moment” after reading Julie B.’s verse. I just read the Bible completely in my 50th year(not said in a bragging way–more in a what took you so long?), and I missed this gem. What a beautiful word picture that was painted by the prophet Zephaniah who grew up under the rule of some pretty nasty and evil kings. At the point these verses are written, he is referring to the restoration of the remnant from certain judgement and doom if they did not repent. That is the beauty of a relationship with Jesus that is foretold about in the end of this book; it is never too late to get your self in a right relationship.

Just to give you a little insight into our guest blogger, we have known each other for 20+ years. We met in seminary out in Fort Worth, Texas. She and her husband Karl have been working in Serbia for 19 years. They have been faithful to share their love, time, and talents with families and teens not only in Serbia, but also many other countries. She deeply understands the need to serve the Lord “shoulder to shoulder”. Read about how we should be standing together, side-by-side, shouldering each other’s burdens and celebrating the victories.

Then I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder.  Zephaniah 3:9

I came across this verse about ten years ago. I had read through Zephaniah before, but that year, this verse really stuck out to me. As I meditated on it, it became more and more meaningful to me. While prophetic, it also speaks of believers today.

My husband and I have been living in Serbia for nineteen years now. As we shared the Gospel and led Bible studies, I began to think more and more about what it means to be a follower of Christ. What does that look like? I think this verse shows us some characteristics about believers that encourage us and challenge us.

The first line of this verse makes me think of how the Lord forgives us of our sin. It reminds me of Isaiah’s experience described in Isaiah 6:5-7:

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our guilt is taken away and our sin is atoned for! Hallelujah! We are washed clean. It is the Lord who does this. Our very words become clean and a blessing to others. We begin to speak with grace and mercy for others which is the language of our Lord.

Some versions of this line of the verse refer to the Lord changing the language of the people to a single, pure language. Some commentators think it is a prophecy that believers will one day all speak one language again. Having learned another language and often traveling and hearing multiple languages, I long for this day! What a joy it will be when people from every nation, tribe, and language (Revelation 7:9) stand before the throne, praising the Lord!

One of the greatest joys of being a follower of Christ is to be able to call on the name of the Lord! What a joy it is to know that our Father, our Abba, hears our prayers! We do not walk this journey alone. The Lord invites us as His followers, His children, to have this relationship with Him. Another wonderful part of this is that we are not alone in this! “All of them may call upon the name of the Lord!” As brothers and sisters in Christ, we pray together, we worship together, we seek the Lord together. We have this glorious fellowship!

In this fellowship, we serve the Lord “shoulder to shoulder.” The Bible talks often about us serving together as the body of Christ. We are also told to put on the armor of God. Have you ever thought how those go together? Paul used metaphor to paint pictures for his readers, comparing the church with a body as well as using a soldier’s armor to explain spiritual battle preparations we must take for living in this world. The commands in Ephesians 6 are all plural – all of you (or y’all as my Texan roots would translate J ) put on the full armor of God. With this picture of Roman armor in mind, we realize that the whole army needs armor, not just one soldier! Also, Roman soldiers had the ability to lock their shields together, but they had to stand really close together – shoulder to shoulder! As they locked their shields together, they formed a much stronger defense. When we as the body of believers “lock” our shields of faith together, we are able to stand and serve the Lord much more effectively! We are not lone rangers in this life! We must stand together to serve the Lord!

This little verse in a little book in the Old Testament holds so much truth and wisdom. What a joy it is for it to characterize those who follow Jesus! As we serve overseas, we realize more and more the beauty of God’s work in us, for us, and through us all, to His glory! What a joy!

Julie Bannert