The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. –Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
Whenever I hear or see this verse, it brings a smile to my face and encourages my faith journey.
The book of Zephaniah, part of the Old Testament, consists of only three chapters. It is about the coming of the Lord, the judgment against Judah and Jerusalem who are rebelling, and the importance of seeking God.
This particular verse shares the hope that was extended to the remnant of Judah when they returned to the Lord. It provides that same encouragement for us in our lives, reminding us the Lord is in our midst and sharing God’s response to us.
Photo courtesy of Sapphire Dream Photography under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
We know how strange the thought, “The Lord your God is in your midst,” was back in the Old Testament days. People viewed God as a faraway, distant God who dwelt only in the temple and tabernacle, occasionally appearing to someone like Moses at Mt. Sinai when He gave him the Ten Commandments.
What a blessing that in the New Testament we know,
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. –John 1:14 (NIV)
And you are part of that building Christ has built as a place for God’s own Spirit to live. –Ephesians 2:22 (CEV)
Indeed, God’s presence is found in you and me, thanks to God sending His Son to live among us. Through the Holy Spirit, God truly is in our midst!
Do you live your life differently when you keep foremost in your mind, “God is truly in your midst? He is the mighty one who will save and restore you?”
During those moments when you FEEL all alone, turn your thoughts toward God and know He is always with you and in you. What a difference that makes in changing your attitude.
Despite all the problems in this world, you know that in God, you have salvation, which is what is most important.
When you return to the Lord, what does God do?
He rejoices over you with such gladness.
He quiets you with His love.
He exults over you with loud singing.
Photo courtesy of Sapphire Dream Photography under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
How beautiful is that image? God, your Daddy (Abba), rejoices over you, loves you so, and exults over you with singing!
If you are a parent, can you relate to that vision especially when your child was a baby?
May these thoughts encourage you to continually seek the Lord in your life through the coming week.
Reflect on how special it is that God cares and loves you so very much!
He is always with you,
rejoicing and exulting over you~~
You bring a song to God’s voice.
You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.” –Psalm 27:8 (ESV)
For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. –Psalm 149:4 (NLT)
++++++++++++++++
It is with great joy that I announce, “God’s Presence Illuminated,” my first book, is published!
Congratulations on your new book!
Thanks so much…Can’t wait for you to get your copy at the end of the month! 🙂