Zephaniah 3:9 “Then will I purify the lips of the people, that all of them may call on the name of the Lord and serve him shoulder to shoulder”

An old-fashioned “cure” for using bad words or lying was to wash a child’s mouth with soap. The lingering taste served as a reminder to keep their speech clean.

God has a better solution. He purifies lips by cleansing first the hearts of those who call on Him. Only after sins are confessed and forsaken, will hearts and what flows out from them, be pure.

The Lord performs a complete renovation, not just a cover-up to hide faults. He eradicates sin and the decay it brings. His cleanup also removes sin’s punishment and its accompanying guilt and shame.

When God’s purifying work is complete, the redeemed will seek Him and serve Him in unity. Meekness, humility, honesty, and joy will be hallmarks of this holy remnant.

Thought for Today: God delights in and rejoices over His work in your life.