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
Some of the most intense images of God are found in the little book of Zephaniah. Two major aspects of God’s character—His love and His justice—are wound together in a message of hope for the people of Israel on that day and for the world's future. The book focuses on the new Jerusalem and the Day of the Lord, when God will be with them and the whole earth will be transformed by His mercy as Jerusalem, all Israel, and the nations are purified of their sins.
Once this happens, theologian Matthew Henry says, “The conversion of sinners and the consolation of saints are the joy of angels, for they are the joy of God himself. … The great God not only loves his saints, but he loves to love them and is pleased that he has pitched upon these objects of his love.
He will joy over them with singing. He that is grieved for the sin of sinners rejoices in the graces and services of the saints, and is ready to express that joy by singing over them. The Lord takes pleasure in those that fear him, and in them, Jesus Christ will shortly be glorified and admired.”
Do you know the joy of having your sins forgiven through acceptance of the gift of the atoning death of Jesus Christ?
It is the sole criteria to be included in the assembly of saints on that great and glorious time when God sings over you in joy. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “God is so happy in the love which he bears to his people, that he breaks the eternal silence, and sun and moon and stars with astonishment hear God chanting a hymn of joy.” Praise Him for that day which is to come.
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