There is great spiritual decline today. But, in the midst of all this, God has a few who have a heart for Him. They are not all found in one denomination. They are found in all the denominations - men and women who love God and are seeking to honour Him in all things. They are genuinely filled with the Holy Spirit and do not get involved in controversies. They are very careful in the use of their tongues and are very faithful with money. God is gathering such people together in these days as His remnant.

The remnant prepared the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus. When the Lord was born, there was a small remnant - Simeon and Anna in the temple, John the Baptist, the shepherds, and a few wise men from the east. Today also there is a remnant in Christendom who are preparing the way for the coming of the Lord.

Zephaniah highlights some characteristics of this remnant.

"I will purify the lips of the people" ( Zeph.3:9). The speech of the remnant will be pure. Isaiah was convicted of his speech when he saw the glory of the Lord. I speak often about our speech and about our attitude to money - because the prophets spoke much about these two subjects. If we are careful with our mouth and our money, we can become the Lord's spokesmen.

"All of them will call on the name of the Lord and serve Him shoulder to shoulder" (Zeph.3:9). The remnant will be united as one body and serve the Lord bearing His burdens - shoulder to shoulder.

"I will remove all the proud and arrogant people from among you. There will be no pride on My holy mountain. Those who are left will be the lowly and the humble" (Zeph 3:11,12). The remnant will comprise only of humble people, because the Lord would have removed all the proud ones. That is another question people ask me, "Brother Zac, why do you speak so much about humility?" Because that is what the Bible speaks of, from cover to cover.

"Those who are left will trust in the name of the Lord" (Zeph 3:12). The remnant will be a people of faith.

"The people will do no wrong to each other, never telling lies or deceiving one another. They will live peaceful lives" (Zeph 3:13). The remnant will be a peaceful people who never tell lies or deceive anyone or harm anyone.

"Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart! For the LORD Himself will live among you! (Zeph 3:14,15). The remnant will be a happy people who have found their perfect security in the Lord's love for them.

"The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy" (Zeph 3:17). God rejoices over this remnant. He does not find joy over people who live in sin. Can a father rejoice in a child who has cancer, leprosy and tuberculosis? No. Neither can God find joy in people who live in sin and who don't want to be healed. But God does find joy in this holy remnant. With great gladness He shouts over them and sings a song over them. This is the one place in Scripture where it says that God sings over His people. There are many places where we are exhorted to sing a song of praise to God. But here it is God Who is singing a song over us. What a challenge it is to be the type of person whom God can rejoice over.

"He is silently planning for you in love" (Zeph 3:17 - Paraphrase). The Lord plans for us in love and He has pleasant surprises planned for us in the days to come, because He is our loving Father.

"I will save the weak and helpless ones. I will give glory and renown to those who were mocked and shamed. I will give you a name of distinction. They will praise you as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes" (Zeph 3:19,20). The remnant consists of a people who are weak and helpless in themselves. The Lord Himself deals with their enemies and gives His people glory and distinction in the final day.