Day 8 in Love: Zephaniah 3:17

One of the coolest things about this challenge I have given myself is the chance I have to learn more about the historical significance and roots of my beliefs. This morning I spent a little bit of time searching through an NIV online resource for a verse about God's love for us. I found a link to the book of Zephaniah. After reading the verse on the computer screen, I decided to open up my bible and read it more in context...the entire chapter is very short.

Zephaniah was a prophet that held a high social standing in Judah. He makes a brief reference to his royal ancestry in the beginning of the chapter. In his short writing, Zephaniah shares of a day when Judah's God will return to judge the nations. Much of the chapter speaks of punishment for those nations that turned against God and his teachings. However, there is a section dedicated to reassuring Jerusalem of God's promise of love.

Zephaniah 3:17 "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."

This verse can be tackled in so many different ways. So many things are being said about God's love for us in these 2 sentences. Zephaniah is telling his people not to worry about the judgement, if they have truly loved, God is bigger than anything they might fear.Those that have loved will be saved. He is reminding the people that God loves like a father; He takes pride in his children, rejoices in their goodness, and will pacify them in times of trouble. This is so important to remember, yet so easy to forget as we look around and see heartache and troubles. This life is temporary though. This life is not what we are living for, living this life is a step towards something bigger. I believe we are sent here for a purpose, each and every individual, is sent here for a purpose. In the time we have on earth, we are continually working to complete that task, whether it takes 3 months or 121 years. This is where we make the choice to love or not, where we make the decision on our own of whether or not we want something better or worse than this world after our time here is up. For those that choose to love, God takes pride in them. Despite the troubles or hardships they may encounter on earth, they will be rewarded as a proud parent rewards their children.

What a great reminder for any day...you are loved, you are cherished, you are delighted in, you will receive peace, and you are rejoiced in.