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rejoicing

The Saving, Singing, Shouting God!

by TerryLema

I love the various descriptions of our God in the Scriptures. In a chapter which begins with “Woe to Oppressive Jerusalem” and ends with “Promised Final Restoration,” there is a portrait of our Wonderful God.

Zephaniah 3:17: “Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring you quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” [HCSB]

The NKJV renders it this way: “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Do you see the beautiful depiction in this verse?  Our God is among us, right in our midst. Jesus said, “remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:20 HCSB]

Our God has the power to save us. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved.” [I Corinthians 1:18 HCSB]

I think of those two things as the background of this picture of our LORD and Savior. He is with us, and He saves us. But then look at the detail the author paints. Our God rejoices over us with gladness, He delights in us with shouts of joy (singing!)

In that beautiful chapter of the lost, Luke 15, Jesus tells his listeners that “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents ….” [vs 7 HCSB]

We always think of the angels and saints rejoicing over the lost being saved, but Zephaniah reminds us that God Himself, Our Wonderful, Awesome Father delights in each salvation with shouting and singing.

And still our LORD God is not done. He quiets us with His love. He grants us peace. “And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:7 HCSB]

Our Wonderful Saving, Singing, Shouting GOD!

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Over One Sinner

by TerryLema

If you read one of my favorite chapters in the Gospels, Luke 15, you’ll see those three parables, the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and Lost Sons. And you’ll see something else. Rejoicing!

“’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” [v6-7]

“’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” [v9-10]

“Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate…. and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” [v22-23, 32]

Each lost one who returns is a cause for celebration and rejoicing. Not just the rejoicing and celebrating done here when we see someone come to salvation through Christ Jesus … but rejoicing in heaven. I love the way Jesus said it in verse 10 – rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God.

When I read that small phrase, I wonder just Who is doing the rejoicing in the angel’s presence – and I think it is our Father God. Can you imagine the amazement on the faces of the angles as they watch the Father celebrating the return of one child after another? Just to imagine that scene constantly replaying in heaven leaves me breathless spiritually.

That God would love us so. That He would rejoice over each one who comes to Him is almost unfathomable.

Oh Father, thank You for Your love. Amen!

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What a Day of Rejoicing!

by TerryLema

The church at Corinth was going through many problems. They were heavy problems, materialism, selfishness, lawsuits against one another, sexual sins. There were factions, false teachings and pride. These problems were the result of one central issue – the people of Corinth had brought the world’s ways into the church. They would not separate themselves from the life they lived before coming to salvation in Christ Jesus. Sound familiar?

Paul deals with many issues in both his letters and some of the most beautiful thoughts ever put to words are found there. One of the first things he does is remind us that there are eternal glories waiting for the believer that outweigh any “perks” we might find in this world. He begins with a quote from Isaiah 64:4: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” [1 Cor 2:9 NKJV]

Then he immediately adds the most marvelous truth: “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” [Vs 10-11]

God has given us His Spirit. His Spirit has the job of revealing to us the heart of our Father and the beauty of our Savior. He reveals to us what the Father has already done for us, provided for us and is reserving in heaven for us. The Spirit brings the resurrection life of Jesus to our souls and makes us alive. He provides the illumination of the Words of Jesus that keep us steady and secure.

And still there is much we won’t really grasp until we enter the very presence of God. Like that old song “When We All Get to Heaven” says, “What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!”

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