OUR FATHER SINGS

Our Father Sings

He . . . will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

READ ZEPHANIAH 3:14–20

Dandy loves encouraging people by singing to them. One day we were having lunch at his favorite restaurant, and he noticed the waitress was having a hard day. He asked her a few questions and then started quietly singing a catchy, upbeat song to cheer her up. “Well, kind sir, you just made my day. Thank you so much,” she said with a big smile, as she wrote down our food order.

When we open the book of Zephaniah, we find that God loves to sing. The prophet masterfully drew a picture with his words in which he described God as a musician who loves to sing for and with His children. He wrote that God “will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (3:17). God promised to be present forever with those who have been transformed by His mercy. But it doesn’t stop there! He invites and joins in with His people to “be glad and rejoice with all your heart” (v. 14).

We can only imagine the day when we’ll be together with God and with all those who’ve put their trust in Jesus as their Savior. How amazing it will be to hear our heavenly Father sing songs for and with us and experience His love, approval, and acceptance.

By Estera Pirosca Escobar

REFLECT & PRAY

Heavenly Father, we know that because of our allegiance to Jesus, You not only accept us but celebrate with us and delight in us as Your children. Thank You for Your love.

How can you celebrate God’s love for you? What song is He singing over you and with you today?

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INSIGHT

It’s not uncommon for Bible readers to scratch their heads when they encounter the brief but powerful prophecy of Zephaniah—the ninth among the twelve shorter prophetic writings (Minor Prophets) of the Old Testament. Zephaniah (whose name means “the Lord hides” or “he whom the Lord hides”) prophesied during the kingship of Josiah (640-609 bc; Zephaniah 1:1). The dominant theme is one of far-reaching judgment—judgment that included God’s people: “ ‘When I destroy all mankind on the face of the earth,’ declares the Lord, ‘I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all who live in Jerusalem’ ” (1:3-4). The term “day of the Lord” (1:7)—a time of widespread divine reckoning against evil—is used seven times in the book, more than in any other Old Testament prophet. However, the book ends on a note of hope and rescue (3:14-20).

To gain an overview of the book of Zephaniah visit Christian University: Old Testament and scroll down to the video on Zephaniah. Arthur Jackson