by 鍾卓權牧師 (Rev. Bernie Chung)
先知哈巴谷發預言讓南國猶大預備接受即將到來的斥責，斥責是上帝對他們的管教，雖然他們不相信會遭到遠方的迦勒底人的侵略。先知西番雅稱那即將被俘擄的南國猶大為「錫安的民、以色列、耶路撒冷的民」，並以命令的語氣說「應當歌唱」、「應當歡呼」、「應當滿心歡喜快樂」（3:14 節），西番雅的意思是宣告上帝將會帶領被擄的人回歸耶路撒，讓他們為未來真正的復興而快樂，並因而歡唱感謝神。但是他們必須先經歷上帝免除他們的刑罰，以及脫離仇敵的奴役捆綁。之後，西番雅又宣告他們必不至再懼怕，因為上帝將會在他們中間。
上帝是昨日、今日一直到永遠都不會改變的神，只要我們能謙卑，認罪，悔改，罪就必會蒙赦免，因為主耶穌在十字架上業已完成了永恆的贖罪祭。今天我們同樣可以脫離罪惡的捆綁，與父神和好建立新的關係，享受屬靈的新生活，因為慈愛的上帝就在我們中間，衪與我們同在。
西番雅繼續安慰猶大被俘擄的餘民說：「不要懼怕！錫安哪；不要手軟！」，意思是鼓勵安慰他們在等待將要回歸耶路撒冷的期間不要驚惶也不要害怕，更加不要灰心，而導致手軟雙雙下垂。今天我們面對肆虐的新冠狀肺炎疫就如同昔日的以色列餘民渴望歸回耶路撒冷的心情一樣。最終，大有能力的主必施行拯救、歸回的以色列餘民也實現了先知西番雅所說的，他們果然在耶路撒冷滿心歡喜快樂地歌唱感謝神。
永不改變的神，今天仍然在我們中間，與我們同在。只要我們能認自己的罪，痛心悔改，在不多的時間，慈愛的上帝一樣會帶領和保守我們渡過這段抗疫時期。弟兄姊妹們，在此時，讓我們謙卑，認罪悔改並在神的家裏彼此勉勵，我們的雙手不要下垂，不要灰心喪志。到那日，我們也可以歸回三藩市浸信會的大堂同心敬拜上帝，並且滿心歡喜快樂地歌唱感謝神。阿們！
Translation:
The Prophet Habakkuk prophesied that the Southern Kingdom of Judah should have prepared to accept God's upcoming discipline, even though its people did not believe that they would be invaded by the faraway Chaldeans. In a commanding voice, the Prophet Zephaniah proclaimed to the people of Judah, the Southern Kingdom, who were soon to be captured. He said: "Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!" (Zephaniah 3:14). Zephaniah continued by saying that God will lead the captives back to Jerusalem, and the people will be happy for the real revival that follows, and they should shout for joy and thank God for it. But before this could happen, the people must first experience God's forgiveness of their punishment and also the ordeal of escaping from their enemies. Zephaniah told them that they should not be afraid anymore because God would be with them.
God has not changed yesterday, today, and will not change ever. As long as we humbly confess and repent, our sins will be forgiven because of the eternal offering for sin that Lord Jesus has completed on the cross. Today we can break away from the bondage of sin, establish a new relationship with God the Father, and enjoy a spiritual new life because the loving God is in us.
Zephaniah comforted the captive remnants of Judah by saying: “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.” He encouraged and comforted the Israelites while they were waiting to return to Jerusalem. He told them not to be dismayed, afraid, or discouraged, and their hands should not hang limp. As we face the raging new coronavirus pandemic today, our anxiety would be similar to the anxiety of the remaining captives of Judah who were waiting to return to Jerusalem. Zephaniah's prophesy was fulfilled due to almighty God's intervention. The Israeli captives were able to joyously sing and thank God from Jerusalem.
The never changing God is still with us. We must confess our iniquities and be faithful to him. God will help us fight and lead us through this dreadful pandemic we are facing today. Brothers and Sisters, let's support and encourage one another. Do not let our hands go limp. Lend a helping hand to those in needs. Let's look forward to worshipping God in His house, SFCBC, once more. Surely we will shout for joy and thank God when we do. Amen!