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Crooning

            The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

First, this was written about the remnant of Israel. To some extent, it may be said that this is true of us as individuals because it is true of us as a part of the remnant of Israel. In other words, I believe it does apply to us, and to me, but not as if we are (or I am) something special. God didn’t choose Israel because it was great or good.

At the same time, this is one of those verses I struggle to apply to myself. Of course, God is the Mighty Warrior who saves. That’s His job. He could no more not do that than I could give up breathing by force of will. I’m cool with that. But… take great delight? In His love…rejoice over me with singing? I can see God crooning a paternal love song to Jesus, but to me? And the answer is, “Yes, to me, and to you.” Just because the answer is “Yes,” doesn’t mean I live that positive the way that I should. Just because the answer is “Yes,” doesn’t mean we’ll be allowed to live however we like.

But, this passage is the dream – not for God to tolerate, or accept, or enjoy, or even to take delight in, but to take great delight in. This is similar to what was said a week ago about lovingkindness. It’s not just bread and water, it’s let’s pull out the best food.

And He rejoices with singing. I enjoy singing, and some of the songs I enjoy singing most are songs that express my love for and appreciation of God. Could it be that God loves to belt out or croon in baritone to bass range about me? Perhaps you’d prefer Him as a tenor – that’s up to you – but just think about it and rejoice in the God who rejoices over you.

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