I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one. I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage, or praise for what it means to you.
Each week of this Advent study focuses on a theme: Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace. This last week's verses are focused on Peace.
Today's Scripture is Zephaniah 3:14-15. In the actual study, this one was from December 24 -- just in case you downloaded the study and are following along with it.
S= "Sing, O daughter of Zion, shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
"The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, He hast cast out thy enemy: the King of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more." (Zephaniah 3:14-15)
O= These verses are clearly prophetic. As C.I. Scofield says, "That this, and all like passages in the prophets, cannot refer to anything which occurred at the first coming of Christ is clear from the context. The precise reverse is true." In the Scofield Reference Bible, this scholar has titled this section of Zephaniah "Israel's restoration and blessing: the King in the Kingdom."
So when verse 15 states, "the King of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee", it is not really referring directly to the Baby in the manger, but pointing forward to a time when He will reign in the millennial kingdom. In that day, it may be said that God's people will not "see evil any more".
Still, Christ's presence on earth as a Baby was a cause of great rejoicing: "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people" (Luke 2:10). Think too of the rejoicing of both Simeon and Anna as these elderly believers came into the temple at just the right moment to see the infant Jesus and the realization of God's promise to send a Savior (Luke 2:25-38).
A= I can be glad and rejoice with all my heart, as I recall and celebrate the coming of the Savior. I can rejoice that He is my Savior. He has "taken away [my] judgments" in that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1). He has cast out my enemy -- Satan, and he is a defeated foe.
The Lord is in the midst of me in that He dwells within me in the Person of the Holy Spirit. I have much to be joyful about!
P= "Lord, as much as I have tried this season to focus on You, in many ways I have failed miserably. I have allowed busyness and stress in preparing to celebrate to crowd out my joy -- not completely, but to a much greater degree than it should.
"I thank and praise You for the snatches of celebratory joy that I found this season -- the scent of balsam fir; the beauty of bright red winterberries; a lovely piano offertory; the sweet voices of children lifted in a carol; the generous gifts and meaningful cards from loving friends and family, and so on -- but I feel rebuked that my entire season could have been (and should have been) much more joyful, in view of our reason to celebrate.
"Help me in this day and during this week, to show my joy in Christ's coming to a needy, needy world. In Jesus' name, Amen."
And there is our final Sunday Scripture for December! I hope that this little series has been a blessing to you.
Yes, I have enjoyed this December series very much. Are you a titch hard on yourself? 🙃
ReplyDeleteMe? Guess maybe it's possible. Thanks for that reminder. Of course, keep in mind that I wrote the material included in these posts back in 2013. This Christmas has been quite different. I've been a bit sidelined by a physical issue and was not as "busy" as usual -- had to really pick and choose what activities I would do. I did, however get to church services and was so blessed by all that we did to celebrate Christ's coming. I'd say my focus was a lot sharper this year.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the series! I'll try to keep something like this in mind for another year.