The Lord Rejoices

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) 

 

You My grandmother recently sent me a folder full of old photographs, and as I thumbed through them, one caught my eye. In it, I’m two years old, and I’m sitting on one end of a hearth in front of a fireplace. On the other end, my dad has his arm around my mom’s shoulders. Both are gazing at me with expressions of love and delight. 

 

I pinned this photo to my dresser, where I see it every morning. It’s a wonderful reminder of their love for me. The truth is, though, that even the love of good parents is imperfect. I saved this photo because it reminds me that although human love may fail sometimes, God’s love never fails—and according to Scripture, God looks at me the way my parents are looking at me in this picture. 

 

The prophet Zephaniah described this love in a way that astounds me. He describes God as rejoicing over His people with singing. God’s people had not earned this love. They had failed to obey Him or to treat each other with compassion. But Zephaniah promised that in the end, God’s love would prevail over their failures. God would take away their punishment (Zephaniah 3:15), and He would rejoice over them (v. 17). He would gather His people into His arms, bring them home, and restore them (v. 20). 

 

That’s a love worth reflecting on every morning. 

 

How does it make you feel that God rejoices over you with singing? How have you experienced His love? 

 

God, thank You for Your forgiveness and faithful love for us. Amen. 

 

This devotion blessed me. I pray it opens your eyes to see just how loved you are by God. I am reminded of Luke 15:3-7. He will leave the ninety and nine to go after the one who is lost until he find it. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.What a mighty God we serve. 

 

Have a beautiful day in The Lord! 

 

Today’s Reading is John 16:33