"The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."
~ Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)
Can a newborn know the fierce love of the parent who rejoices over it?
The child will learn love and share love, multiplying the rejoicing. And on the day when one rejoices over one's own child, that love is perhaps finally understood.
Such is the love and rejoicing of our God over us. We can't quite comprehend the extent of His love, nor can we love Him as much. We don't always see ourselves or our circumstances as something to rejoice over. Yet whether or not we choose to join Him in the rejoicing—if we're even able—He does indeed rejoice over us.
We shall one day hear clearly His songs of rejoicing over us. For now, we simply offer to Him our songs of praise, worship, woe, brokenness—and rejoicing.
In the stillness, we may perchance hear the faint echo of His song even now.
"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."
~ John 16:22 (NKJV)
© 2010 Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: best-norman-rockwell-art.com
LOVE the ending verse. How I want my heart to rejoice and for my joy to never be taken. Great impact in the succinctness of your post.
ReplyDeleteWe sing and praise our Lord, but it is wonderful to know that God Sings and rejoices over us! Great Post!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Anne - and a beautiful image of the Lord tending to us as we would to a newborn.
ReplyDeleteI love this verse and this reminder. I selected verses for each of my girls and this one I picked out for my second daughter.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate how God delights in my wobbly voice.
~ Wendy
This makes my heart smile. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI miss you. We should catch up sometime soon! I hope you are well.
Amen. Beautiful thoughts. Can't wait to be with Him and share in His rejoicing, side by side.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Anne. I love the idea of the Lord rejoicing in song on the day He welcomes me Home. What an incredible experience that will be.
ReplyDeleteCan a newborn know the fierce love of the parent who rejoices over it?
ReplyDeleteWow, that's very eloquent! You've just expanded my understanding about the connection between love and rejoicing. Thanks!
I do believe a newborn knows the love that is poured out to them. I have hummed or sang over all six of our grandchildren and when the soft melodies begin you can see and feel the tenseness fall away as they slip into a quiet sleep. To think that as we lay resting God sings over us... is an awesome thought. I pray that my ears and my heart stays open to hear it.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Anne. Yes, He is singing and rejoicing over us. What a blessed reality that nothing can take that away.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne.
A good reminder of His rejoicing over us with which we can respond with rejoicing in Him.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! How awe-inspiring it is to think that the Creator of the universe rejoices over me. It makes me want to make a sacrifice of praise to Him!
ReplyDeleteCheryl ~
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've been working more on succinct lately. I'm glad it worked here. :D
Hazel ~
ReplyDeleteI know this is truth. But I still struggle to think that He would sing over me. I think I'll have to see it to really get it.
Glynn ~
ReplyDeleteIn the moments when I glimpse our Lord's tender love for us, my heart can hardly hold the love.
Wendy ~
ReplyDeleteYou do bless me! :D
Kelly ~
ReplyDeleteI do miss you as well. I never miss your photos. It seems you've been every bit as busy as me. And it gives me joy to know I made you smile.♥
Frank ~
ReplyDeleteJust being by His side will be reason to rejoice!
Keli ~
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine what His voice must sound like? *sigh*
Jojo ~
ReplyDeleteAwww! You make me smile! :D
Grandma ~
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear of number six! (Your profile still says five.) The Lord is good to give you so many to sing over. :D
Jason ~
ReplyDeleteReality.
Every word of the Bible is reality. We just can't see it all yet ...
Susan ~
ReplyDeleteDo we have anything good in our hearts we didn't learn from Him? How precious is His Spirit within us. You bless me to see you shine it.
Jenn ~
ReplyDeleteHave you heard the song "Lifesong," which begins with the lyrics, "Empty hands held high, such small sacrifice ..." ? You bless me to hear you speak of the sacrifice of praise. It's spoken of too little.
good verse...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful analogy of God's love for us!
ReplyDeleteI love those verses. What a blessed thought to know God is singing over us.
ReplyDeleteProverbs 23:15,16 My son, if thy heart be wise, My heart will be glad, even mine: Yea, my heart will rejoice, When thy lips speak right things.
ReplyDeleteNance ~
ReplyDeleteGREAT verse! Can't take credit for writing it tho ... :D
Mary ~
ReplyDeleteI know you wouldn't be caught dead in that mother's outfit, but she looks exactly like I think of you.
Lisa ~
ReplyDeleteNothing touches the soul quite like music. To think of God rejoicing over us with singing is an amazing and beautiful picture of how deeply He loves us.
Natasa ~
ReplyDeleteI know there are times when we also disappoint God. I find peace in knowing that He still rejoices over His children.
I like the verse you've brought here.
What a beautiful image! I truly feel like a newborn in his arms.
ReplyDeleteOh, what a love song.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad that He converts my praise notes into a beautiful sound.
This reminded me of a short inspirational story I'd read in a Max Lucado book.
ReplyDeleteI loved it.
It's book worthy. :)
T ~
ReplyDelete(Did you think I forgot you?) How precious for you to feel like a newborn babe in the Lord's arms. I'd been feeling my age lately, but am feeling much younger now. : )
Snady ~
ReplyDeleteI wonder what three part harmony will sound like in Heaven between the Bridegroom, the angels, and the bride ...
Duane ~
ReplyDeleteYou're awfully sweet to say this is bookworthy. Know any publishers who might agree? ; )