Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

5 August 2024

Zephaniah 1-3

“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

     We sang this song in church when I was a young boy.  It is extraordinary how music is tied to our memories, especially spiritual memories.  Singing this passage brought such comfort and reassurance to me because it communicated to my heart that God, this all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present Supreme Deity takes delight in and rejoices over His children.  

     The wonderful truth is that I am one of His sons and so I can know in my heart and build my life on the facts that He is with me, He saves me, He delights in me, He loves me, and He is so happy that I am His son that He rejoices over me with singing.  This makes me feel special, appreciated, cared for and loved.

If there is anything that you take away from reading this today, I hope that it is the realization that God loves you so much that You make His heart happy enough to sing joyfully over you.  Even when you feel as though you don’t deserve His love, know that He loves you no matter how you feel. God loves everyone regardless of their standing with Him, but how amazing is it to reach out to Him in faith, trust in Jesus and have right standing with our Father! Be blessed with that knowledge in Jesus’ Name.

“Heavenly Father, thank You so very much for Your great love.  Holy Spirit, thank You for Your contagious joy!  We recognize that Israel did not have to reach perfection for You to rejoice and sing over them and neither do we.  As we join in worship with all saints past, present and future, we are united in our love for You and the joy that You fill our hearts with.  Many of Your children are suffering and struggling today.  Please Dear Father, pour out more and more of Your joy into all our lives until we overflow into the world around us.  Strengthen our faith, increase our understanding, and motivate us with Your love to do good to our brothers and sisters and the lost of this world.  In Jesus’ Precious Name I pray, Amen.”

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” –Nehemiah 8:10