Those who turn back from following the Lord and neither seek the Lord nor inquire of him. Zephaniah 1:6
It wasn’t only idolaters who God stretched out his hand against (verse 4) but those who had stopped following the Lord, stopped seeking him, stopped inquiring of him. It indicates an attitude of self-sufficiency. They didn’t think they needed any help, guidance or wisdom.
Many in the world have this attitude. They believe they’ve achieved through their own ingenuity. They don’t acknowledge the blessings they’ve received by being born in a country where advancement is possible, where education is compulsory and they haven’t been distracted by war or famine or civil unrest. Often it’s circumstances that conspire for successful people to be born at the right time, in the right place for them to achieve. There’s a fine line between a materially successful life and one that’s derailed by misfortune. That’s not to say that successful people haven’t worked hard to achieve their results. However, it’s also true to say that many work just as hard to feed themselves and their families.
Success in the world is a fragile commodity which can be swept away with adverse weather, unfavourable financial conditions or the outbreak of violence. Even so many won’t acknowledge God’s provision for them.
I know people who have turned their back on Christian faith and before long they’re on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication. Yet they never make the connection between these two events. Likewise in Zephaniah’s day, people were turning their back on God without considering the consequences.
Let’s not be like them but continue to follow, seek and inquire of the Lord.
