Picture God looking at you. What expression appears first? For some of us, it's the teacher handing back a test: pursed lips, red pen, see me after class. Zephaniah offers a startlingly different picture at the end of a book full of warnings.
Most of his book is warning. Then, at the very end, this. The mighty God, the one with every right to judge, rejoices over His people with singing. Sit with that image. Most of us picture God tolerating us, arms crossed, like my doodle Tucker watching Addie eat a sock.
Zephaniah describes a God who is quiet in His love and loud in His joy. The NIV says He will no longer rebuke you, and other versions say He will quiet you with His love. Either way, His love settles you, then breaks into song.
He delights in you. Right now. Today. Yes, you.
Let the reading meet your day
Read the whole passage slowly. Let its joy challenge the assumption that God only puts up with you. In Christ, you can receive love without immediately volunteering to justify it. You may need time for that to settle. Today, give the image of God's delight a little more room than the imaginary red pen.
One response to try
Sit quietly for two minutes after reading Zephaniah 3:14–17. Receive its picture of God's delight.
You can take this slowly.