Journal Zeph 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “…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…” Zeph 1:12
Observation: Sometimes you find a jewel, like something hidden in a bushel basket. Here is a description of Man’s attitude…
Analysis: Apathetic. Indifferent. Uninterested.
The prophet is saying that this is what a certain group of men think about God—God is not interested in what I do… He doesn’t care and is indifferent. He is a disengaged God, looking from afar, a minimal touch in people’s lives.
All of creation is in autopilot—and I have all the autonomy I want. God will not interfere.
Yes, there is a little stretch here and there, but the attitude I think is clear: “God doesn’t care.”
And if God doesn’t care, why should I? So, I am complacent. Complacent towards life complacent toward others, complacent towards morals, complacent toward parents, etc.: “Eat, drink, be merry, for tomorrow I die.” — the anthem of a complacent soul.
Being complacent means? Well for one thing, lack of purpose. But the scripture isn’t about what I am or am not, it is about what I think about the Most High God.
Ignorance or even claiming innocence will not be an excuse. Paul wrote:
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been CLEARLY perceived, ever since the creation of the world in the things that have been made. So—they are without excuse.
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools….” Ro 1:19-22a
What is insidious is that I can drift into this same apathetic attitude. How? By not paying daily attention.
Prayer: Father, help me to pursue you. Daily. Moment by moment. To seize those moments in my day where I stoke the embers of my heart for You into a flaming pyre of surrender at the foot of the Cross.
Cause revival.
AMEN.