Presence

 Zephaniah 3:17 ESV 

 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. 
 

Maybe the thought of the Lord God being in our midst fills us with terror. Maybe our troubled consciences make us think that he would smite us in his wrath, to condemn us to hell as we rightfully deserve. This verse reassures us.

Perhaps the opposite reaction to the thought of God's presence is indifference. We might wonder what difference God being with us would make. This verse challenges our apathy.

 God is mighty to save, yet he doesn't do so begrudgingly. He delights to deliver us. He calms our troubled hearts with his unfailing loving kindness.

Amazingly, God himself celebrates us with loud singing. He is after all the Source of all goodness, music included. Nevertheless, his delight in us is astounding!

'O Lord our God, as you amazingly delight in us, so we delight in you, the Lover of our souls. May we never lose the wonder of your love for us, in Christ's name we ask, amen'.  

  

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