Our scripture this morning is Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT).
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
The prophet Zephaniah ministered to Judah in the days before the Babylonian invasion that destroyed Jerusalem. The first two chapters speak of God’s sadness at His people falling away and the cleansing He plans. However, the third and final chapter of this prophecy tells them there is hope for those who repent and return to God.
In this verse we read “the Lord your God is living among you.” His presence with us has always been assured, as Jesus promised in John 14:17. No matter how far we may have wandered away from Him, God is always near to us.
When we recognize our wrongdoing and ask to be forgiven, God stands ready to restore us in His love. Zephaniah writes “He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” We can’t save ourselves, but when we admit the failure of our own strength and wisdom, and allow His ways to become ours, we can be His redeemed children.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times our selfishness and anger have grieved You. Forgive us and bless us to go in Your name to all people. Amen.
