Zephaniah's message was disheartening. God was profoundly disappointed with his people. They had promised much but delivered little more than arrogance, injustice, and bloodshed. Dark days were ahead of them as they reaped the results of their injustice and infidelity, but there was still a ray of hope. God recognized that there was a faithful remnant - there always has and always will be - of those who remained steadfast and faithful to God's laws. With this remnant, God would build a beautiful future and a pure nation. That is why it is so important for each of us to remain faithful despite what we might see around us.

God is not overly impressed with just words and promises - it is our actions that God is most interested in. It is very easy to surround ourselves with religious symbols and throw up a smokescreen of pious talk. We should ask the question: is all of this reflected in my everyday life - in all of my dealings with others - and even when I think no one is looking? Am I kind, compassionate, forgiving, just, patient, loving, and humble? Or do I just talk about those things? Some of the most spiritual people are those whose lives might be a bit messy and disordered or who might resist, rebel, and complain, but in the end they do the right thing. As St. Paul said in Romans, it is not the hearers of the Word who are saved but the doers of the Word. Love is always expressed most convincingly and eloquently in deeds.