August 30, 2026

Part 1

Zephaniah 3:14-17

14  Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15  The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
16  In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
17  The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

"A great chasm (16:26!) lies between the Pharisees and the kingdom of God at this point: they complain when Jesus eats with many sinners and tax collectors, yet all heaven rejoices when one of them repents!"