Life is full of fear, worry, rejection, failure,
insecurity, abandonment, neglect, anxiety, struggle, pain and suffering. Pretty
cheery stuff huh? I can bury my head in the sand, put on some Pollyanna glasses
and spout some churchy platitudes if I want, life is still hard.
This is also true: The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (AMP)
So the struggle is, how to live in the tension of my experience and what I’m told is true in scripture?
I think the idea is to look at our circumstances through the lens of scripture. So when you’re afraid, to move forward, try something new, have a hard conversation or even face another day acknowledge the fear and know God is present.
When you fail, feel insecure, abandoned, alone and neglected remember, he rejoices over you. When you blow it again, fall back into addiction, hurt people you love and even reject him, seek forgiveness and know he will never mention it.
When you’re in pain, hurt, harassed, abused and suffering, know that somewhere God sees you, knows your circumstance and sings over you like a mother easing her infant to rest.
God, the creator of the universe, is present with you. He rejoices in you. He does not mention, nor even recall your sins. More than that, you make him want to sing. Of all of the wonders in creation, you are the one he celebrates.
Believing this verse doesn't change the reality of my experience, instead it changes me.
This is also true: The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 (AMP)
So the struggle is, how to live in the tension of my experience and what I’m told is true in scripture?
I think the idea is to look at our circumstances through the lens of scripture. So when you’re afraid, to move forward, try something new, have a hard conversation or even face another day acknowledge the fear and know God is present.
When you fail, feel insecure, abandoned, alone and neglected remember, he rejoices over you. When you blow it again, fall back into addiction, hurt people you love and even reject him, seek forgiveness and know he will never mention it.
When you’re in pain, hurt, harassed, abused and suffering, know that somewhere God sees you, knows your circumstance and sings over you like a mother easing her infant to rest.
God, the creator of the universe, is present with you. He rejoices in you. He does not mention, nor even recall your sins. More than that, you make him want to sing. Of all of the wonders in creation, you are the one he celebrates.
Believing this verse doesn't change the reality of my experience, instead it changes me.
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