In life there are times when we become resplendent with joy, which exudes in all ramification of our countenance because of the anticipation of a promise long awaited. Rejoice at the grant of freedom and liberation is equally a human way of acknowledging marvels of God in our lives. The emotional out burst of joy or rejoicing at the news of a future promise, is always a fascinating theme in the lives of the people of Israel and even among New Testament Christians.
For the prophet Zephaniah (3:14-18), he makes a hilarious call to all those who are largely in gloom, unhappiness and unexcited to wake to the “future fulfillment” of God’s restoration.
We ask ourselves this basic question, what is the root for this rejoicing. It stated that “the Lord has repealed your sentence”. The sentence in question here is the fact of the great fall of the human person in Adam and Eve. The consequence is the rape of original blessedness, justice, rapport and innocence with our God. The negation of these virtues in our lives leads to the social, political and moral insecurity that continues to plague our society at large.
The Christian basics for this REJOICE’, at this time is the grant of a “second chance”. An opportunity to redress the history and irregularities of the past times. This is only feasible in Christ, the promise of the ages. “a virgin is with child and she shall give birth to a son, whose name is EMMANUEL…… MEANING God with us” cf Is 7:14.
We must gladly note that the whole sense of our rejoicing is not in the here and now, but in anticipation of the future coming. The coming of Jesus we must try to hasten it, by our prayers, rectification of our lives and our Christian Vigil. Remember his coming is not to tolerate but vindicate the just and enthrone a kingdom of righteousness, peace, joy, love etc. In John 3:17-18, he states that “His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out”.
Just as the breaking forth or dawn of a new child brings joy to the human family, in the same wise expectancy of this coming of Jesus Christ brings not only but the freedom, liberation and God’s design to bore-enacted in the perfection of the human family and society.
The holy one of Israel is in our midst He is Jesus Christ, “Emmanuel”, God with us. We know and affirm with the Psalmist, “that he that is with God is with majority” that Jesus lives and dwells with us in the rectification of the course of human history.
Therefore, our joy today must know no bounds since our “salvation is near at hand” May this proximity of our salvation, draw us closer and closer to the eternal focus, design and original state Jesus will brings us.
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