Turnaround (Part 3)

Turnaround (Part 3)

Zephaniah 3:18-20 “I will gather those who sorrow over the appointed assembly, who are among you, to whom its reproach is a burden. Behold, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you; I will save the lame, and gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will bring you back, even at the time I gather you; for I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I return your captives before your eyes,” says the Lord.”

If I read this correctly God will bring restoration, revival, and rejuvenation to those who have been afflicted in some way. Whether it’s those who have suffered for righteousness sake, those who are unable to fend for themselves, or those who were cast out because of the storms they have gone through. God says He will gather and save those that have walk thru adversity after adversity and appoint them for praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame.

God is not in the destruction business, but He thrives in the construction business. He takes the tired, weary, distraught, and disillusioned and gives them a turnaround. How many preachers, pastors, and teachers do you know that have fallen and God has brought turnaround in their lives? How many friends, co-workers, and family member lives that you thought were destined for failure turnaround by the touch of God? God can take the things heaped on a junk pile or thrown in the fire and change them into something good in an instant.

That fame and praise God gives to those captives who are returned isn’t what the world thinks it should be, but what God wants it to be. It’s a new beginning, a new life, a new heart, and a new destiny that He wants to fulfill thru you. When God makes changes they are usually for the good if not better. I believe it’s His time to bring a turnaround in our lives if we will let Him. That storm you’ve gone thru is about to end and the sun will begin to shine.

Last, but not least God will deal with those that have afflicted you. It has always been easy to say that their days coming, but sometimes it seems it never does. Often it’s the pain of the captor or abuser that affects us for a lifetime. Your heavenly Father says their time of judgment is coming. Their affliction on you is going to be turned on them. Your turnaround begins when you let go of the things that they did to you. That’s the first step out of your valley. Believe me, if God says He will deal with them then He will. Don’t let their posture keep you frozen in fear, but shout “Turnaround is mine today. God IS in control!”