Zephaniah 3

Scripture Reading: Read Zephaniah Chapter 3. 

The Know It All:

Zephaniah 3:1-2 – “Woe to the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled!  She obeys no one, she accepts no correction.  She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God.”  (NIV)

Have you ever encountered someone with a “know-it-all” personality? That kind of personality can be one of the most frustrating kinds of people to be around and get along with.  The worst part is when the know-it-all is right!  Their overconfidence can be deeply frustrating. 

If we’re honest with ourselves, we are all guilty of playing the part of the know-it-all. Speaking of our faith, we play the part quite often. Though it’s quite common for us, playing the part of the “know-it-all” is the opposite of trusting in the Lord.  When we’re acting as a “know-it-all,” we’re trusting in our own opinions rather than God's.  

Rather than being open to God's truth, we can become closed off to any suggestion of change that doesn’t come from our own minds.  Ultimately, the “know-it-all” worships themselves and their own ideas.  This was the case for the leaders of Israel that Zephaniah addresses; they were “know-it-alls,” uninterested in God’s correction. 

But it doesn’t have to be like that.  We can trust in the Lord and draw near to him. Consider for a moment in reflection today: Am I trusting God’s voice instead of my own and inviting the Lord’s correction?   

Prayer: Lord, I pray for reliance on your spirit. Give me an openness to your truth and your way for my life. Forgive me for sometimes being closed-minded to your correction.  Give me a tender heart toward your truth.