Complacency Breeds Vacancy

“I will stretch out my hand against Judah
    and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;
I will cut off from this place the remnant of Baal
    and the name of the idolatrous priests along with the priests,
those who bow down on the roofs
    to the host of the heavens,
those who bow down and swear to the Lord
    and yet swear by Milcom,
those who have turned back from following the Lord,
    who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him…

“At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
    and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
    those who say in their hearts,
‘The Lord will not do good,
    nor will he do ill…’

“The great day of the Lord is near,
    near and hastening fast;
the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter;
    the mighty man cries aloud there.
A day of wrath is that day,
    a day of distress and anguish,
a day of ruin and devastation,
    a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and thick darkness,
   a day of trumpet blast and battle cry
against the fortified cities
    and lofty battlements…

“Neither their silver nor their gold
    shall be able to deliver them
    on the day of the wrath of the Lord.
In the fire of his jealousy,
    all the earth shall be consumed;
for a full and sudden end
    he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.”

“Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled,
    the oppressing city!
She listens to no voice;
    she accepts no correction.
She does not trust in the Lord;
    she does not draw near to her God.” Zephaniah 1:4-6,12,14-16,18; 3:1-2

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16

The prophet has harsh words for those who do not care. Mixed worship, lazy obedience, and indifference to God’s good truth all indicate a low view of the Almighty and warped conviction of responsibility before Him. The Lord holds people accountable for their response to Him and His word, and His standard is holy. Act as though He does not notice or care about sin, esteem riches and manmade defenses for security, and neglect acknowledging or honoring His worth, and they would meet His jealous wrath to their regret.

Spiritual complacency leads to an unfulfilled, unfruitful life. A waffling spirit is no place for the Holy Spirit to energize and inspire. Are we pretending at faith, and finding no power?

Are we lazy in worship and honoring the sacraments? Where have we grown apathetic to God’s holiness and commands, treating Him as a chum who will unceasingly pour out grace? Where are we complacent in sin habits, immune to conviction, rebuffing correction, continually attempting weak justification for ungodly behavior? Do we read only parts of the Bible that bring comfort, but avoid passages that expose immorality and call us to account? The Lord sees and knows all, and will not be mocked. In what areas need we to turn back to the Lord- regular church attendance, study and application of His word as the primary source for life, a specific obedience? (Romans 6:1-2; Galatians 6:1-3,7-10)

Lord, may I fear and follow You alone.