Even His Song Is For You!

"The Lord your God is with you;

the mighty One will save.

He will rejoice over you.

You will rest in his love;

he will sing and be joyful about you."

Zephaniah 3:16-17

READ Zephaniah 1:1-3:20

SITUATION Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of King Josiah and warned the Israelites that their sins would bring God's approaching judgment.

OBSERVATION After prophecies involving judgment Zephaniah spoke of future blessings.

INSPIRATION To whom was he (God) speaking when he said "I love you people with a love that will last forever" (Jeremiah 31:3)? Was he playing games when he said, "Nothing . . . . will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ" (Romans 8:39)? Buried in the seldom-quarried mines of the minor prophets is this jewel:

"The Lord your God is with you: the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Don't move too quickly through that verse. Read it again and prepare yourself for a surprise.

The Lord your God is with you: the mighty One will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Note who is active and who is passive. Who is singing, and who is resting? Who is rejoicing over his loved one, and who is being rejoiced over?

We tend to think we are the singers and God is the "singee." Most certainly that is often the case. But apparently here there are times when God wishes we would just be still and (what a stunning thought) let him sing over us.

I can see you squirming. You say you aren't worthy of such affection? Neither was Judas, but Jesus washed his feet. Neither was Peter, but Jesus fixed him breakfast. Neither were the Emmaus-bound disciples, but Jesus took time to sit at their table.

Besides, who are we to determine if we are worthy? Our job is simply to be still long enough to let him have us and let him love us. (From Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado)

APPLICATION Do you feel unworthy of God's love? Allow yourself to bask in his love, his rest, and yes, even his song for you! Take time today to sit quietly before the Lord and ask him to show you how much he cares personally about you.

EXPLORATION God's Love-- Psalm 36; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 8:39; Ephesians 1:4-5, 1 John 4:10-11

The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of the Jesus, Max Lucado General Editor, New Century Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers