February 16
Verse of the Day for February 16
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.Zephaniah 3:17 KJV
The Key of Love · Day 16 of 29
Reflection · 3 min read
He Will Joy Over Thee With Singing
Zephaniah is a short and largely furious book. Two and a half chapters of judgement, and then this, without much warning.
The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
He will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Most people can believe God tolerates them. Some can believe He forgives them. Very few carry around a picture of God enjoying them.
The phrase in the middle is the one that undoes the argument. He will rest in his love — the word suggests being quiet, ceasing from something. God is described as settled about you, not still deliberating.
And then singing. Not speaking, not pronouncing. The prophet reaches for the least official verb available and puts it in God's mouth.
That is written to a people who had earned two and a half chapters of judgement, which is the only reason it is worth anything.
Not tolerating you.Singing over you.
If your picture of God's face when He thinks of you is neutral at best, this verse is a correction and not a decoration.
He is settled about you. That is what resting in his love means.
Carry this today
What do you imagine God's face does when He thinks of you?
Pray
Read Zephaniah 3:14–17
14Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 15The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 16In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Keep praying
Reflection by Collins Asein, from the daily devotionals in the PrayerKey app. Bible text: King James Version.