March 15, 2022 – Reflection on, “Rejoicing Over You!”

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17.

The Presence of God and His Spirit of Joy permeates our hearts when we belong to Him. We share smiles with others and smiles bring joy. Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre! For the Lord takes pleasure in His people. He adorns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:3-4. When can we feel God’s Presence? It is when we acknowledge God by these kinds of thought and actions: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9.

Singing represents God’s Joy. The word Psalm means a hymn or song sung praising God. “You give life, You are love, You bring light to the darkness, You give hope, You restore Every heart that is broken And great are you, Lord. It’s Your breath in our lungs, So we pour out our praise to You only.” (All Sons & Daughters) We see the heart of David, who wrote most of the Psalms in the Bible. Psalm 104:1-2 tells of David’s adoration of God. Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.

He raised up David to be their king, of whom He testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man’s offspring, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as He promised. Acts 13:22-23.

On this day when deceivers spread untruths, we often wonder, who can we believe? Again, we are given the answer in Holy Bible. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:6-7.

Do you want to have a deeper encounter with God? Then study the ‘Way, the Truth’ in the Life of Jesus. It is when others see the teachings of Jesus reflected in the way we live, we truly become Children of God.

John 3:16-18 informs us of the essence of the gift of salvation. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because He has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1-2.

       Our God gathers us together. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in his bosom and gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11. This looks to “The Lord is My Shepherd; I shall not want!” David wrote in Psalm 23. He watched over his flock of sheep as a boy, ever mindful of how they needed to be nurtured and cared for, even as a mother cares for her child.

Our Father in Heaven looks forward to the joy when we are gathered as His Children from every part of this earth to be with Him. He is prepared and sent Jesus to prepare us for His coming. I like the repetition of joy expressed in this verse.

      Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7.

Rising each morning, this verse always comes to me. Especially when the day has many things that must be done. This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24.

Your mind is to love God, but it often leads us astray. However, when we understand God gives us the strength to put on our new self in Christ we understand we can do nothing without Him. The week began when I would be separated from my husband for a week. I made the verse from Psalm 118:24, into a page graphic, and hung in several places in my house. I set my mind.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3.

How can this come to pass? But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33-34.

Seek. Search. Find the Truth in His Word in the teachings of Jesus to learn the Truth, the Life, and the Way.

Gather together, yes, gather, O shameless nation, before the decree takes effect — before the day passes away like chaff—before there comes upon you the burning anger of the Lord, before there comes upon you the day of the anger of the Lord. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do His just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility;  perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord. Zephaniah 2:1-3.