Promise in the Prophets 405: Undo Afflictions

405. Undo Afflictions

Zephaniah 3:19, 20 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back our captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.

God promises redemption, rescue, and restoration for the people of God in Exile. The spiritual promise for us believers, as His people involves several aspects:

  1. The Lord will undo all that afflict us. Of course, sin, death and the devil are constantly afflicting us and they will do so until the body dies and is resurrected. If it were not for the presence of God and His promises for us we would be completely undone by our enemies. The purpose of the Enemies’ afflictions is to undo us, to uncreate, to unredeem us and to bring us into eternal shame and death, separated from God forever. But the Lord promises to undo their purpose and work.
  2. The Lord will save us that limp with lameness. Every human-born sinner is handicapped. Our inherited sin causes various physical and mental, not to mention spiritual, handicaps and imperfections. We all have weaknesses in some form or another. This flaw will be saved and healed and we will be completely restored to health and life.
  3. The Lord will gather us from where we were driven out. Our sin caused God to drive us out of Paradise into exile in a sinful world. He is gathering us to Himself and His kingdom again through the work of the Son and the Spirit.
  4. The Lord will make us a name and a praise among the earth-dwellers. We all desire fame, prestige, approval and a good reputation, but the world’s praise is fleeting and shallow. However, God gives us His Name and His Praise and a wonderful reputation in His eyes. And it is deep and eternal. What God thinks of us is always more important than what the world thinks of us. And this promise is eternal and glorious.