This post was last updated on July 21, 2025

Day 187, Year 1

What is Filling Your House?

“In the same day I will punish All those who leap over the threshold, Who fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.” (Zephaniah 1:9 NKJV)

The first half of today’s verse indicates that God will punish all the people of Judah and Jerusalem at that time because they did not follow or seek Him but were worshipping idols (Zephaniah 1:4-6). “Leap over the threshold” might refer to the superstitions of foreign nations, which held that there were evil spirits on the threshold (e.g., 1 Samuel 5:5). This verse might be understood with three key points, including the ownership of people’s houses and the psycho-spiritual conditions of people. 

In the past, the servants of the Judeans filled their masters’ houses with ill-gotten gains. This verse serves as a reminder that people’s houses, as well as the houses of their hearts, may not truly belong to them. On the other hand, should Jesus be knocking on the doors outside of people’s hearts? No, because He should be inside. But Jesus was likely forced to leave them due to numerous transgressions. His return is only to reclaim His own place.

Second, some people, upon hearing the knocks of Jesus, might naturally think that they are about to be punished. This is because they still possess a healthy conscience that can lead them to repentance. Thus, we may consider: What is filling the house of our hearts? Substantially, when hearing the voice of Jesus, it is usually time for us to deal with various evils in our hearts. If there are some stubborn parts within us that require Jesus’ intervention, we need to seek His help, and He will surely soften our hearts.

Third, dealing with ill-gotten gains. When people do not believe in God, their lusts run rampant, and their hearts are filled with all kinds of filth. To welcome Jesus into our lives, we will naturally tidy up and clean our inner lives. Hence, when we hear the knock of Jesus, we will naturally begin to throw away everything in our lives unworthy of being in His presence, but only keep what is valuable in His sight. This is the moment when thorough repentance begins. However, changing our bad habits is often not an overnight success. We who welcome Jesus need firm determination and much careful thought to rid ourselves, one by one, of bad habits. Additionally, the valuable things within us should be retained, for they might be used to welcome the Lord Jesus and facilitate His reign in us!

Reflection questions:

1) Do you think that your life should solely belong to the Lord Jesus? Why?

2) Have you begun addressing your life and casting away everything that the Lord Jesus deems unrighteous or inappropriate for His arrival?