Man oh, man. Do I love talking about God’s pursuit and love for His children.
When we read Zephaniah 3:17, it tells us, “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.” Do you always believe that we love and serve a God that chooses to be in our midst, that will rejoice over you with gladness, quiet you by his love, and exult over you with loud singing? Every time I read over each of those statements in scripture, my heart swells with gladness.
We love and worship a God that CHOOSES to be in our midst. He is fully present where we are. If we pray to have eyes to see His goodness and mercy in the day, we would see His grace woven all throughout our day. Even in the mundane things that we would bypass otherwise. In all of the mess, in all of the questioning, in all of our selfishness - He CHOOSES to fully exist in the thick of it all with us, just hoping that we will turn our eyes to him and cry out His name. He is MIGHTY and will SAVE. No battle is too big for our God. No sin is too great. He will intervene and redeem our deepest, darkest struggles for the greater good. Our God REJOICES over us with GLADNESS. He delights in us and desires for our minds and hearts to turn to Him in all things. He quiets our wandering, searching minds and hearts with the greatness of His love. He will always lead us beside still waters and bring our anxious thoughts to cease. He longs for our hearts and minds to find peace and rest in Him. He EXULTS over us with loud singing. Does anyone else picture the overwhelmingly proud parent/caregiver at a sporting event, dance recital, or graduation ceremony when they read that last part?? Not only does He smile down on us, but He sings over us with all of His might. How cool is that? Yet how easy it is to underestimate His pride and joy in every single one of His sons and daughters when we get wrapped up in the to do’s and what if’s of this world.
When we read and meditate on this verse, we should be filled with an overwhelming sense of joy as we get a slightly tighter grasp on the unconditional love that our God has for each and every one of us. He chooses to meet us in the middle of the mess, the midst of the chaos, on the hills and in the valleys - just out of simply longing to show up for us so that we may know Him more. To show us just how much He loves us and what He has in this life for us. To shower us in His overwhelming goodness and mercy.
Imagine if we could direct our gaze, our focus, our aspirations in this life, towards Him in all circumstances? If we would fully soak in the light of the gospel that is bursting forth in that verse - believing more than anything that our God loves us more than anything, and that His pursuit of our hearts and love for our souls is more than we could ever need to live a life full of purpose, joy, and growth - what possibilities, sis! What would change about your daily life if you walked in this truth each and every day?
Jessie
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