God Sings Over You
[God] will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
READ Zephaniah 3:14–17
Seventeen months after our first child—a
boy—was born, along came a little girl. I was overjoyed at the thought
of having a daughter, but I was also a bit uneasy because while I knew a
few things about little boys, this was uncharted territory. We named
her Sarah, and one of my privileges was rocking her to sleep so my wife
could rest. I’m not sure why, but I started trying to sing her to sleep,
and the song of choice was “You Are My Sunshine.” Whether holding her
in my arms or standing above her in her crib, I quite literally sang
over her, and loved every minute of it. She’s in her twenties now, and I
still call her Sunshine.
We usually think about angels singing. But when was the last time you thought about God singing? That’s right—God
singing. And furthermore, when was the last time you thought about Him
singing over you? Zephaniah is clear in his message to Jerusalem: “The Lord
your God” takes great delight in you, so much so that He “rejoice[s]
over you with singing” (3:17). Although this message speaks directly to
Jerusalem, it’s likely God sings over us—those who have received Jesus
as Savior—too! What song does He sing? Well, Scripture’s not clear on
that. But the song is born out of His love, so we can trust it’s true
and noble and right and pure and lovely and admirable (Philippians 4:8).
By John Blase |
What feelings are stirred when you consider God singing over you? Is that something unbelievable or something comforting? Why?
Good Father, the thought that You would sing over me in joy is such an assurance and comfort. Thank You. | | | | |
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
While the book of Zephaniah (which means
“the Lord hides/conceals”) ends on a note of joy and singing in view of
God’s restoration (Zephaniah 3:14–20), the bulk of the book records
God’s judgment on Judah and the nations. “The day of the Lord”
is the primary theme (1:2–3:8). This term refers to a day when God
settles accounts with those who oppose Him (a day of judgment) and
rewards the remnant of faithful followers (a day of
deliverance/salvation). Indeed, “the Mighty Warrior who saves [and] will
take great delight in you” (3:17) is also “the Mighty Warrior [who]
shouts his battle cry” (1:14). The sovereign God of all the earth has
the right to call the nations into account.
Arthur Jackson
No comments:
Post a Comment