Do you have a favorite hymn?  During Grandparents Day here at the school that question was asked and there were so many answers we could have had a second Grandparents Day just to sing through all the many favorite hymns.  And that’s a good thing.  Maybe you have one that you’ve always loved since you were a small child.  Or one that brings a tear to the eye because you think instantly of singing it at a loved one’s funeral.  Or maybe you have a rotation of favorites – a personal Top 10 List – one which changes depending on the season we’re celebrating in the church year.  And that’s okay.  Hymns are like different flavors of ice cream – you are allowed to have more than one favorite.  Or maybe your musical ability isn’t where you’d like it to be, but you have a deep thankfulness when it comes to appreciating those musicians gifted and willing to make a joyful noise to the Lord.

Favorite hymns and joyful noises will be sung one day in heaven.  And the Final Day may be today for all we know.  That’s a clear reminder in the book of Zephaniah.  With an uncertain future for God’s people, the prophet directs their gaze to the living God and gives them reason to Rejoice! For our Lord Does!

Truth be told, as a pastor I’m not often paging around in the book of Zephaniah (it is only 3 chapters).  I’ve never done a Bible study on it.  According to my digital files I preached a New Year’s devotion on it once about 5 years ago.  And if it’s not all too familiar to me, I don’t want to assume it’s all that familiar to you.

We don’t know much about Zephaniah.  We don’t know where he lived or served.  We do know that Zephaniah was a prophet who preached to Israel in a time of religious reformation.  This reformation had to take place because of the rampant corruption of godliness amongst the people.  And that’s why much of his book involves stern words about God’s judgment.  And yet here, in the last half of a page or so, Zephaniah unwraps a pretty great gift of God’s grace for those who are meek and humble before the Lord.  Our reading takes place right as we shift from shivers of judgment to songs of joy. 

But first, the warning cry to be obeyed.  The opening chapters of his book are hard-hitting.  God says, “make no mistake: judgment is coming.”  Judgement is coming to Jerusalem.  “Woe to the filthy, foul city, the city of oppressors.  She does not listen.  She does not accept correction.”  Judgment is coming to the wicked surrounding nations.  “I will bring distress upon all people…blood will be poured out like dust, and their bowels will be spread like manure.”  Judgment is coming to all people.  “The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of his jealousy, because he will make an end—yes, a terrifying end of all who dwell on the earth.”  Merry Christmas?  So far, this is the exact opposite of rejoicing and singing.

There is a strong reality here for us regarding sin.  Sin brings about the opposite of peace on earth and a peace between God and man.  Leading up to our words we are reminded about our God’s status.  “The Lord in her midst is just.  He does no wrong.  Every morning he brings his justice to light.  He does not fail.”  God is perfect, holy, and righteous.  He does not have any fellowship with anything remotely or even slightly wrong.  God is also just.  More than that, he carries out perfect justice.  He must put an end to any and all wickedness.  It is who he is.

 And knowing that, we may become a bit uneasy.  Because we know that we have sinned.  We know that we have qualified ourselves for something far worse than a lump of coal – an eternity of death – and the eternal separation from the love of our God.  Think for a moment about the times when we have not rejoiced over what God had to say to us because our sinful flesh wanted to live for itself.  Or about the times you have not rejoiced over being in his house and worshipping him because we had other things we wanted to do and other things in this life to worship.  Think about the times when we’ve not rejoiced over our God but resented him, acting only out of obligation as if we were contractually forced – making him into some merciless dictator.  Our sin drains our hearts of joy.  Our sin should make our hearts fearful of the future in light of God’s judgment.

And yet not only is God perfect, holy, righteous, and just; God is also love.  And at this time of year, we are preparing our hearts to celebrate and sing once again about God’s great plan of love.  We find God’s love with that little baby in a manger who had a greater purpose than being a cute story.  That child came to save every child belonging to God by faith.  That little one came for the cross.  As our reading describes: he would be as verse 17 says, “a hero who will save you.”  That little one would grow up to singlehandedly defeat our greatest enemies of terror: sin, death, and the devil.  This Savior, Jesus, paid for your place in hell, and opened up a place for you now in heaven. 

Our reading tells us the gospel as well!  That, “The Lord has removed the judgment against you…Israel’s king, the Lord, is in your midst!  You no longer need to fear disaster.  In that day Jerusalem will be told, “Do not be afraid, O Zion.  Do not give up.”   There was an intensity to his battle – a dashing into action.  And a total cleaning of sin and its judgement.  At this time of year, we might have unexpected visitors all the while there are still baking pans scattered about in the kitchen or gift-wrapping supplies on our tables, if company arrives, we dash into action to sweep away all the mess.  That is what our Savior King Jesus has done for us at his cross.  Jesus swept away the mess of our sins.  We need not fear or give up, since he has secured our salvation and remains in control in our lives.

Verse 17 sheds even more light on his current reign, “The Lord your God is with you as a hero who will save you.  He takes great delight in you.  He will quiet you with his love.”  Jesus comes to us in love through Word and Sacrament.  He is not a petty earthly ruler in it for himself.  He is “with you,” “delights in you,” and “he will quiet you.”  Sounds more like a loving parent giving us his attention and care!  Behold the heart of your God who works with each of us in very personal ways so that we might one day be in heaven with him.

It is what he wants and celebrates.  Today we also find Zephaniah sweeping out the sanctuary, dusting off the instruments, setting up the sheet music, and raising the church banners of the eternal gospel.  For verse 17 tells us: “He (the Lord) will rejoice over you with singing.”  God singing about us?  We come here to church and to sing, especially at this time of year, our praises to God for his plan of salvation in Jesus.  That is rightly so.  But the picture of rejoicing extends into heaven itself.  Our God also sings celebration songs.  His gospel plan was not only a good one, but one that was carried out perfectly by Jesus.  And his kingdom advances as the gospel continues to win souls.  And you and I get to be a part of that, and our God rejoices.

Picture this passage, as our eternal King on his throne of heaven, standing and singing as he leads the music we make (even singing Christmas hymns) with a thunderous voice and pure joy in his heart.  His plan to save us worked perfectly.  God would be with us in that little baby so that we would be with God one day in heaven.  And now our king on heaven’s throne leads our congregation in singing.  What an awesome Christmas party!  Fear not, your sins are removed by Jesus!  Heaven is yours today!  Rejoice!  Your Lord Does!  Amen.