It Ends Well

I will rescue the lame;
    I will gather the exiles.
I will give them praise and honor
    in every place where they have suffered shame.
At that time I will gather you;
    at that time I will bring you home. - Zephaniah 3:19-20

These are the final verses of the book of Zephaniah. Those who have been oppressed, taken advantage of, mistreated and maligned are spoken to gently by our God.

God knows where we’re been wounded. God knows that many of us have experienced being othered, even by our families, such that it feels like we’ve been pushed into exile. God sees us there and calls us back.

God speaks honor and praise over us - isn’t that beautiful? Of course, it’s honor and praise that we are used to seeing ascribed to God, and rightly so. But here, God is pouring honor and praise on little us! And notice that the honor and shame is coming in the places where we experienced shame in the first place. That’s so healing, isn’t it? (Take a moment to reflect on a place in your life where you’ve experienced shame… and listen for the voice of the Spirit instead heaping honor and praise on you).

And finally, God brings us home. That’s what we all need - home. A place of safety, healing, and belonging. Home.

Take a moment to rest in your God who brings you home.