Okay, y’all, I’m going to be honest with you: the pages of my Bible stuck together when I was trying to get to Zephaniah this morning. It’s been that long since I’ve been in the minor prophets. But even though it’s been a while, I’m always blown away by the faith these men of God had, even during a time of evil kings and rebellion in Israel’s history.

And here, in the midst of this small book in the latter half of the Old Testament, God speaks to me in a way that almost takes my breath away. Let’s look at verse 17 again:

The Lord your God is with you,

the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you;

in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.

Just let that sit with you for a few moments. Go ahead, take a little bit more time. I’ll wait.

I mean, wow. Can we take a second to think through the implications of what Zephaniah just said? Here we have the Creator of the Universe, the One who spoke everything into existence, the One who causes galaxies to spin in orbit and electrons to spin around atoms saying that in the midst of all of His creative power, He takes delight in us. So much so that it causes Him to sing!

I resonate with this. Mostly because I’m sitting here right now with my one-month-old little boy, who is swaddled up in my arms (probably about to pass gas, too). When I look down at him, I can’t help but smile. He’s amazing, and he hasn’t even done anything. All he does right now is eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom. But when I see him, I delight in him. It even causes me to sing. When he’s crying, or when he’s trying to go to sleep, I can get so full of delight for my son that it causes me to break out into song. Most of the time it’s to the lyrics of Ben Rector’s “Extraordinary Magic.”

You won’t believe it and strange as it sounds

Extraordinary magic follows you around

And the camera can’t catch it, you won’t see it in a mirror

If I say look behind you, you turn around, it disappears

But I see it, I see it

I swear I do, I see

Extraordinary magic in you.

Here is how you can have joy today, friend. When you think about God, know that He is delighting in you. It’s not based on what you’ve done, your ability level, or your personality type. Because of the person and work of Jesus, we have been brought into the family of God, and the Father sings over His kids. It’s a wonderful melody, too. One full of hope and healing, of bringing a light that sweeps into the dark crevices of our hearts.

And just like my little boy, when we look up at our Father, I feel certain we’ll see a similar glimmer in His eye.

Reflection:

• What is your current view of God? Is He a loving Father, or someone who is standing off to the side?
• How do Zephaniah’s words change your view of God?
• What is one way you can stop & listen to God’s song over you this Christmas season?
• Prayer: Jesus, thank You for bringing me into Your family. I am a son/daughter of the King. Help me to own the truth that my Father delights in me and sings over me. You are not a distant God; You are near to me. Give me the awareness to see Your song in the micro-moments of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Family Application: Zephaniah 3:14-17

Author: Carrie Hobson

Yesterday, we talked about the prophet, Isaiah. Today, we are talking about the prophet, Zephaniah. Israel had rebelled against God. God called Zephaniah to preach against all the sins the people of Israel were committing. He begged them to repent and turn from their evil ways. He warned them about the day of the Lord and told them that God would pour out his wrath on them by having the Babylonians rise up and destroy their land and send them into exile for 70 years. After telling the people this, he told them of a time of restoration after they had humbled themselves during their time of exile. Zephaniah tells them that God will take away their punishment. He tells them that God is with them and that they don’t ever have to fear harm again. He tells them God is a mighty warrior who saves and takes delight in them. He will no longer rebuke them but will rejoice over them with singing!! If you continue on in scripture, God did just as Zephaniah had said He would do! He restored the people to their land, and they rejoiced and praised God.

God always does what He says. You can trust Him at His word. He is always with you! He is a mighty warrior who saves you! Rest in that today.

• Prayer: God, thank You for always being for us! Thank You that we don’t have to wonder if You’re going to take care of us. Help us to remember Your word is truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.