Turnaround (Part 1)

Turnaround (Part 1)

Zephaniah 3:9-13 "For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language that they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord. From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my worshipers, the daughter of My dispersed ones, shall bring My offering. In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds in which you transgress against Me; for then I will take away from your midst those who rejoice in your pride, and you shall no longer be haughty in My holy mountain. I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed their flocks and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.”

Let me ask you three questions:

-Do you believe God has something better for you?

-Do you believe God can do something greater?

-Do you believe God can turn your situation around?

If you read Zephaniah 3:9-20 you know God has done it before for His people, and you are a joint heir with Jesus. Things are about to change for your good if you believe it and accept it in Jesus name. God speaks 3 things through his prophet for Israel that is still applicable to you today. God is about to turn around Israel’s situation and the prophet shares each step as they go along.

First, God will restore a “pure language that all may call upon the Lord.” I read in the Greenville News today on the opinions page about the failure of Christians in politics. I have heard and seen smear campaigns against ministers and ministries that stood for righteousness and Biblical truth. The word “Christian” too many has become a word of failure, intolerance, and division. Yet I believe God is restoring a “pure language” where ALL may call out to Him for a mental, physical, financial, and moral change in their lives. Truthfully, people are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Even this generation is becoming weary of falsehoods and fables about how it used to be. We need a restoration as a nation, a people, and a church.

Pure language can:

-Change your mind and attitude about what God can do thru you.

-Raise your expectations of being a difference maker for your family and others dear to you.

-Create an atmosphere of expectancy for something good to happen.

-Provide every opportunity you need to serve Him correctly and fully.

-Restore unity among the believers so that blessings are poured out rather than cursing.

Secondly, God will have a “meek and humble people” that shall “trust in the Lord.” Doesn’t the word say that the “meek shall inherit the earth?” When I speak of meekness I am not speaking of weakness. These are to vastly different things.

-Weakness speaks of frailty, while meekness speaks of strength. It takes a meek person to be willing to say no to things that would destroy rather than build up.

-Weakness speaks of desperation, while meekness institutes trust. A weak person will do anything to survive, including rejecting the very things they believe in. A meek person will not give in or give up, but humble themselves before God and go forward.

-Weakness also speaks of intimidation, while meekness implies servitude. A weak person will always be intimidated by their surroundings, circumstances, or nightmares. A meek person has an attitude of service and will do what they can to help whosoever needs it before themselves. Thus shall their reward be great from God in heaven.

Thirdly, turnaround happens because God changes the fortunes of His people. There is no unrighteousness in the hearts of the people. Unrighteousness is the closest thing to self-righteousness I can find in this word. Sinners barely affected me negatively in my ministry. It was always the holier-than-thou people who troubled me the most. They wanted to always be right, even thou most of the time they lived wrong. God said His people would speak truth and not be in fear. Pastor, what would it be like if that one self-righteous person changed their attacks on you into a spirit of co-operation? Man, I believe things would turn around for you and your church.

It’s time to expect and receive a turn around. If God can do it once, He can do it again. I believe it can be for anyone who will accept it and rejoice. Let joy come into your house again! Let God arise and His enemies be scattered! It’s your time for turn around!