Devotional: God is Among Us

"The Lord  your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17 CSB

Have you experienced a love so deep and full that someone would fight for you, die for you, and wipe every tear from your face? My mother likes to tell the story of the first time she held me in her arms. She says that she said to herself, out loud, "I would die for you and I would kill for you." I hope she never has to do either, but knowing she would is a comfort. She loves me and my sister so much that she would fight and die for us. But even her love is near nothing compared to the love God has for each of us.

God says he will fight and rescue us, save us from death. But he will also rejoice over you. He will celebrate with you and do it gladly and excitedly because you are you and what makes you happy he will celebrate. But he will also bring it down and hold you closer than anyone can in his love. His love will wrap you with everything good and keeps even the darkest night away. It is the safest place in all of the universe, wrapped up in the love of God. And he will continue love you forever. 

From Bible.com

There is always something about a song that is written for you. Even if it is not a very good song, when it is written with you in mind, you hold it closer to your heart than others. Only a few beings in the whole of the bible sing songs, Humans and God (Though you could make an argument that Birds also sing). How amazing is the thought that the creator of the universe will hold you so close in love and sings songs of delight in you. This verse demonstrates how intimate God's love is for us. Every person, even those you might not think deserve it, God loves them with songs, rejoicing, and will fight for them to being them back into his arms. 

Lord, thank you for loving me so much more than I deserve. Thank you for fighting for me, and sitting with me when my heart is aching. Thank you for filling the deafening silence with your songs of delight that heal even the deepest wounds.