“. . . I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; for they shall feed their flocks and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid.” Zephaniah 3: 12, 13, NKJV.
Merciful God, we thank You for taking care of Your children, wherever they are to be found; and under all circumstances. Thank You, in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
I am sure that at some time or another, you have heard someone make mention of “the remnant,” while referring to God’s faithful people. God has always preserved a remnant to Himself. One of the definitions of the word remnant is: “A small surviving group of people” (The Free Dictionary by Farlex). Therefore, remnant is quite an appropriate name for the followers of Christ.
I say this for the following reason: in the Book of Revelation we read about “the everlasting gospel” (14: 6a). A gospel needs someone, or a group of people, to proclaim it. God used angels, and shepherds to proclaim the gospel (“glad tidings”) of His Son’s birth. Now He uses men and women, boys and girls, to proclaim the Good News of His Son’s death, burial, and resurrection, that brings salvation. If this gospel is “everlasting” then it means that God has always had a people to proclaim it. It also means that throughout the ages, they have survived all the attacks of the evil one, by trusting in the name of the LORD! They are the remnant!
What is of interest to our study is the character of the remnant. The prophet Zephaniah refers to them as a “meek and humble people.” There is no trace of pride in their demeanor. Their trust is in God, and God alone. They are convinced that all that they are, or have, is – thanks to God. They do not think of themselves greater than they should. In their dealings with one another, the interest of one, is the interest of all (Acts 2: 44-47; Romans 12: 10).
Another characteristic of the remnant, is that they are honest. There is no deception in them. Like Jesus their example, they can say, “the ruler of this world. . . has nothing in Me” (John 14: 30). They are followers of “the way, the truth, and the life” (6).
God had promised peace to the remnant of His people Israel. He would also grant peace to the remnant of spiritual Israel (John 14: 27). Physical Israel would have peaceful pastures in which to feed their flocks. Their land would not be invaded by their enemies. Spiritual Israel was to be faithful in “feeding” the sheep and lambs (20: 15-17), that God would add to His flock (John 10: 16; 6: 37). As long as they were occupied doing His bidding, they need “fear no evil” for He would be with them, and give them rest (Psalm 23: 1-4).
When we come to the end of our line, may God grant us the privilege of finding, that we are a part of the remnant!