Reflection on Zephaniah 3:14-20

Scripture

Sing O daughter of Zion,

Shout aloud O Israel!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,

Oh daughter of Jerusalem!

Observation

Zephaniah brings to the people of Israel a command to rejoice. The Lord will remove His hand of judgement, and instead of enemy armies in their midst, the Lord Himself will dwell with them.

The announcement will be made: Cheer up for the Lord God is living among you and He will delight in you.

The Lord will judge their enemies and He will gather together those who were scattered. He will give His people a good name among the nations and restore their fortunes.

Application

The Lord often commands his people to rejoice. It is right through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

It can be hard to feel joyful sometimes. They can be so much in life that drags us down and pulls us apart.

Even when we grieve, we must rejoice, because God is in our midst.

This rejoicing is not saying words through gritted teeth. It is not a resentful, unwilling obedience to a command.

No, it is about recognising that God is with us. There is a higher truth than this moment of my sadness.

I will rejoice because God is with me all the time.

Prayer

Hallelujah! I thank you for the command and the promise of joy. Thank you Father for the assurance that you will never abandon me. Amen.

Reflection on Zephaniah 3:14-20

Scripture

The Lord your God is with you

He is mighty to save

He will take great delight in you

He will quiet you with His love

He will rejoice over you with singing.

Observation

The people of Israel are to rejoice for God has taken away their punishment. The Lord is King of Israel and He will not let the people come to harm.

The Lord is mighty to save and He rejoices over His people with singing. He will reverse all oppression, so that those who are scattered will be gathered and God’s people will be honoured throughout the earth.

Application

The Lord is mighty to save. He will save all those who trust in Jesus. We were headed for hell but now He has put us on the road to heaven. It’s all because of Jesus.

It is awesome to think that the Lord rejoices over me with singing. I am such a sinner! But He loves me and rejoices over me. It is hard to comprehend that the God who created the universe rejoices over me. I choose to believe in His awesome love and affection and receive His affirmation and joy.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for your awesome love. I thank you that you rejoice over me with singing. Amen.

Reflection on Zephaniah 3:14-20