"No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction."
Zephaniah 3:2a
When attending a women's conference years ago, the Bible teacher leading the conference encouraged us to personalize the Word of God. She suggested we replace pronouns in the verses we read with our name and if there are no pronouns, to find a place we could insert our name. This was something I had never thought about doing, however as I have put this concept into practice the scriptures have become alive to me. They are fast becoming part of my marrow. (Hebrews 4:12)
After I read the first few verses of Zephaniah chapter three, the Holy Spirit lead me to reread them inserting my name.
What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Wendy! No one can tell her anything; She refuses all correction. She does not trust in the Lord or draw near to her God.
This sounds harsh. I even argued with the Lord about writing it, suggesting to Him that it sounded mean. He gently reminded me that I could not accept only the promises and warm fuzzy verses of His Word and personalize them as my own. The Word of God is a double-edged sword with a purpose.
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."
2 Timothy 3:16
I have learned to love and appreciate this double-edge sword but have never put my name is such a harsh verse until now. In the light these moments with the Holy Spirit, I will forever look at His Word differently. It is the desire of my heart to accept the warm fuzzy verses as well as the sharp harsh ones because of 2 Timothy 3:17
"so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
6 Comments:
Wendy, I too was encouraged to do this by a Bible Study teacher. Combining prayer & the Word has opened up my communication with God like nothing else. It brings me into an intimate conversation with God. My mind is renewed by placing His Words rather than my own, into my prayers. Ladies, it is powerful& & liberating!
4 points stuck out to me today:
1. Zephaniah in his revelation, reveals that sin WILL be judged!
Zephaniah 1:17
2.But, God is merciful to all who surrender to Him. 2:1-3
3.He tells us about what happens when a person follows a life of sin,- the consequences! 2:9
4. Those that choose to seek the LORD, humbly, will one day all WORSHIP HIM! Amen! 2:11.
"Those who are left will be lowly and humble, for it is they who trust in the name of the LORD." 3:12 To really let that soak in, ladies! The King of Kings will rule! "And the LORD himself, the King of Israel, will live among you!" 3:15
"I the LORD, have spoken!" 3:20.
No beating around the bush here! Clearly, we are told what to do, and what will happen if we don't!
When setting my priorities, Lord, help me make sure the eternal ones are first on my list!
Have a wonderful day dear friends! Hugs, Lori - AZ
Wendy, thank you for this. I also have employed this practice at times..not regularly...of inserting my name in verses, but what spoke to me today in what you've written is the gentle reminder of God's discipline and rebuke which also is found in scripture. It seems like lately the Lord has been hitting me with more from the "harsh" side of His double-edged sword and I've worried I'm coming across feeling 'down' as I've been sharing here, when really I'm just walking through the refiner's fire. Yes, it still burns, but it's purpose is to beautify and make me more like Jesus.
In saying that, today the Lord did draw my attention to a "happy text". “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savoir. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17
If you’ve ever seen the movie “Pollyanna”, the expression “happy texts” will not be foreign to you. I am certain the verse above would be included in the list of positive scripture passages.
Imagine the Lord delighting in you and me with gladness, calming us with His love and rejoicing over us with singing. Just thinking of God singing over me makes me want to burst forth in song.
Our gladness comes from knowing God is with us. God is our source of happiness. In our delighting in Him, He delights in us. God finds pleasure in, and rejoices over, me.
This verse doesn’t say God takes delight in what I do, plan or say…He simply takes delight in me…and sings!
I wonder what song He’s singing today? Is it’s melody catchy and it’s rhythm upbeat? Would it invite some dancing? Does He hum a tune or has He written lyrics? As I listen for the sound of His voice, my heart is captivated by His love song. My Lord is singing over me!
Listen for His song,
Joy
Another Pollyanna fan signing in this morning!
Zephaniah 3:17 has long been one of my "signature texts", and Joy, you have, as ever, captured its essence brilliantly. Thanks for the blessing!
I also highlighted Zeph 3:2a, Wendy...and in the margin I wrote "ouch". How many times has that been said of me or has been true of me...*wince* Thanks for your blessing this morning, too!
Along with the points Lori outlined from Chapter 3: 1-20 I camped out a bit on verse 9a - "then I will purify the speech of all people". I guess it never has occurred to me we will all one day understand All Language and worship together as the body! That is, indeed, another text for the Glad Game!
My verse for the day, though, the one I kept returning to and praying over, is Jeremiah 47:6-7
Now, O sword of the LORD,
when will you be at rest again?
Go back into your sheath;
rest and be still.
But how can it be still
when the LORD has sent it on a mission?
So, in putting all the blessings together today, I can happily learn this:
How can Liz be still when the LORD has sent her on a mission, equipped with his Sword {of the Spirit which is the word of God}? {Eph 6:17}
Amen sisters!
Equipped, corrected & delighted over,
Liz
AK
Thank you friend for picking me up at the airport for She Speaks! I enjoyed our time together. I just LOVE your heart, Wendy!
You did a fabulous job Sat morning. I pray that God blesses your obedience with many more ministry opprotunitites!
hugs,
Micca
Dear Wendy,
As I sat in the Prayer Room on Saturday afternoon this past weekend, I walked through (cried through) Psalm 51. How beautiful it is to pray scripture back to the One who gave it to us.
There truly is joy in the W.A.I.T. I look forward to the Lord's continual reveal to me as I wait upon Him. I would love your prayers as I fillout the paperwork for She Seeks.
What a breathe of fresh air. My heart's desire is to be real to others so they can draw closer to Christ. The Bible is so applicable and so many women do not know how to apply it to their daily lives.
Blessings,
Karrie
Dear Wendy,
God is awesome. You don't know how timely your post is. I was praying I don't remember if it was last night but it was definitely this week asking Him if these promises in the Old Testament meant for the Israelites were meant for me too.
Well, your post for me was God reminding me that the whole Bible is His words spoken to His people, and that does include me.
Sincerely,
Crystal
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