The Currency of the Kingdom | Morning Routine Daily Devotional for December 28

I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung. 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. – Zephaniah 1:17-18 ESV

Zephaniah was a prophet while Josiah was king over Judah. Josiah was a good king who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 22:1). He made repairs to the temple and reinstituted priestly sacrifices to the Lord, throwing out idols of false gods that were being worshiped. But despite Josiah’s best efforts, the Israelites would choose to worship idols again and would be captured by the Babylonians about 25 years after his death. Zephaniah, through revelations from the Lord, saw the nation’s impending capture and communicated it to Israel. 

In today’s passage, Zephaniah describes their judgment to come. And the Lord declares: “Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the Lord.” In the past, when nations threatened Israel, they might pay other nations to come to their aid. But not this time, says the Lord. Their money can’t overturn His decrees. 

The currency of God’s kingdom doesn’t work the way that the world’s wealth does! As the New Testament declares, salvation is by grace through faith and is accompanied by repentance. Faith is the currency of the kingdom! Thanks be to God for the salvation He provides in Christ, available to those who will trust in Him. As the new year approaches, it matters little how much money you carry in your wallet. It won’t buy much in God’s Kingdom! Instead, consider how much faith you’re carrying! And may the Lord increase our faith!