Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of the Lord is near—near and hastening fast. Hark! the voice of the day of the Lord! The mighty man [unable to fight or to flee] will cry then bitterly.

When you read those words what was your first reaction? Was it one of joy or of fear, and dread? Amos 5:18 states, “Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!…” Now in some ways I am looking forward to being with Jesus, and seeing Him face to face. But in other ways I fear His review of my life. What did I do with the deposit of His Spirit and Life He gave me? Did I invest in others? Did I become conformed to the Image of Jesus? Did I become a son of God? Will I hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant?” Did I learn to love Him with all my heart? Did I learn to love? You may say to me, “But Robert, Jesus has taken our punishment. He’s not going to judge us for our sins.” This is true. But have you not read where we will be judged for the works we have done? 1 Cor. 3:10-15 According to the grace (the special endowment for my task) of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it,¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,¹³ The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.¹⁴ If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward.¹⁵ But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire.

The Apostle Paul, through Christ and by His Spirit, have laid a foundation in you. But notice his warning, But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it. He goes on to warn, for the DAY of Christ (Robert’s emphasis) will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.

In Zephaniah the warning is given that the Day of the Lord will “take away,” “make an end,””utterly consume,” and “sweep away all things from the face of the earth.” What is going to sweep away? Mankind, beast, idol worshippers (those who deem anything or anyone more important than God), those who pretend to worship Jesus. But pay close attention to Zephaniah 1:6 “And those who have drawn back from following the Lord and those who have not sought the Lord nor inquired for, inquired of, and required the Lord [as their first necessity].” “Following the Lord” is another way of saying, obeying the Lord. There are church attenders, and followers of Jesus. Church attenders aren’t necessarily following Jesus any more than walking into your garage makes you a car. (sadly, there are those who don’t even attend church) Followers submit, surrender, and follow. They recognize they have been bought with a price and their lives are lived in overflowing gratitude and obedience.

Once I heard Bobby Conner remark, “We are too familiar with an unfamiliar God.” And it’s true. How can we look forward to the Day of the Lord as if we are not going to be held accountable for what we did with the life He gave us; with the Word He gave us; with the Spirit He sent to indwell us? We have more time saving devices than our ancestors ever had and yet we exclaim we have no time – for God. We have time for everything else but God. We make time for everything else but God.

What’s the good news Robert? Zephaniah 1:7, 14 [Hush!] Be silent before the Lord God, for the day [of the vengeance] of the Lord is near; for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, and He has set apart [for His use] those who have accepted His invitation...The great day of the Lord is near—near and hastening fast. Hark! the voice of the day of the Lord! 

The good news is you are taking time to listen to “the Voice of the Day of the Lord.” The good news is that you have chosen to be silent before the Lord (to have a quiet time of being centered in Jesus). The good news is that you have been set apart for His use and are learning to accept His invitation. The good news is found in Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord [inquire for Him, inquire of Him, and require Him as the foremost necessity of your life], all you humble of the land who have acted in compliance with His revealed will and have kept His commandments; seek righteousness, seek humility [inquire for them, require them as vital]. It may be you will be hidden in the day of the Lord’s anger. The good news is having the Holy Spirit convict of sin, righteousness, and judgement to come. The good news is we are not indifferent, apathetic or complacent regarding His invitation. Praise Him for all of these things knowing that there is enough Blood to cover your sin and mine; enough Holy Spirit and Grace to empower you to seek first – today – the King, His Kingdom, His righteousness, and His dominion over you. Praise Him that He is enough.

I want to be ready. Are you ready? Sounds like an old Larry Norman song, “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.“