Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God in the middle of you is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over you with joy; he will rest in his love… This is one of those revelations of the character of God which are sometimes called anthropomorphic. And it is argued that to ascribe human attributes to God is to limit Him. But we may fearlessly rejoice in the inspiring revelation of the text, that society is necessary to the fulness of the Divine nature. God cannot do without His children; He finds His joy in them. I. IT IS THE JOY OF A STRONG BEING. "The Lord thy God is mighty." Little natures are capable of little happiness. In our gladdest hours we can but dimly guess what is the bliss of an infinite Being. This joy God found in creation, in which His might was revealed. II. IT IS THE JOY OF A HELPFUL PRESENCE. "In the midst of thee." There is delight in being with and doing for those we love. This is God's joy in His providence. III. IT IS THE JOY OF GIVING. "He will save." Not in receiving, but in giving, is found the highest and deepest joy. God finds this blessedness in the work of redemption. The incarnation and atonement are but the self-giving of God. IV. IT IS A SILENT JOY. "He will rest in His love"; literally, "He will be silent in His love." Sometimes joy is too deep for speech. It is the unheard running of the still waters. V. IT IS AN EXCELLENT JOY. "He will joy over thee with singing." Not silent all the time. Sometimes He sings. What are some of the notes of God's song? We may make God glad. The sweetest words that can climb to heaven are, "God be merciful to me a sinner." He will stop the music of glory, and hush the converse of the angels, to hear it stealing up to His throne. (George Elliott.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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