THE STORY OF JESUS: Zephaniah 1-3
“The Mighty Warrior… will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:18)
This image of God singing over His children with joy is striking.
This is not what comes to mind when we think ‘mighty warrior’.
I imagine a father or mother snuggling their toddler and singing.
This is an image of tenderness and comfort.
Which is surprising, given the tone of judgment in these words.
God will come like a mighty warrior to deal with our sin and immorality.
God hates sin, and He hates what it does to us, to others, and to creation.
But His heart is not to be a mighty warrior, but a loving father.
He has to be a mighty warrior, but He WANTS to be a loving father.
We should never forget God’s anger at sin, and how serious sin is.
But even more, we should always remember the love behind the anger.
Remember this when you fail, or when you feel the shame of your sin.
God will always embrace you, if you come back to Him in genuine sorrow.
This is our God, a mighty warrior who will snuggle you with love and song.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, sometimes I can only see Your anger. Help me to see that Your anger is an expression of Your love. Help me to feel your delight, and to listen to Your song of love!
All too often God’s people have gone like those in the days of Judges – each doing what is right in his own eyes. This is not God’s way and He like a mighty warrior will come an visit His people. This Warrior will visit those who do not seek His face with anger and yet shelter those who seek righteousness. He rescues His people again and again and brings them home. Great is His love for all who trust in His name and listen to His voice. When the Lord God is with us He saves us and embraces us like a loving Father. May our hearts always find rest and safety and security in His House.
What a mighty god we serve
Marvelous in all his works
Heaven and earth adore him
As we enter in let’s bow before him
With a song of praise, our voices raised
What a god we serve, what a god we serve
Repeat
Verse:
When I think about his love for me
Everyday he gives a new mercy
I don’t deserve his unconitional love
Mighty God we serve, mighty God we serve