We have three granddaughters – each one so unique in their personalities – and yet, as toddlers, they each often did the same thing. They each danced.
Even now, Eliza will often in the middle of playing, stand and do a little ballet. She will gracefully and gently sway, moving her arms as she softly hums a tune.
Some days I watch in amazement as my heart fills with emotion. With her soft curly hair and sweet little face, she frequently comes wearing her princess dress, tiara, and wand. Sometimes under her princess gown, one can find rain boots on her feet.
However she is dressed, these dancing moments have become sacred moments for I know they will not last forever. In watching her one day last week, the verse was brought to mind:
“The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
(Zephaniah 3:17, NASB)
Let’s break down these words and slowly absorb their meaning:
- “The Lord your God is in your midst.” God has come to dwell with us, among us, in us. He is not a God far away or far off, for He draws near to us.
- “A victorious warrior.” This wording, according to The New American Commentary, Vol. 20, page 496) is used with someone “who has already distinguished himself by performing heroic deeds.” God is known throughout time, from beginning to everlasting, as the One who is mighty to save.
- “He will exult over you with joy” God is delighted with those He has redeemed. We can hardly understand the ability of God to delight in us, as we know our shortcomings. His joy in us stems from His love for us.
- “He will be quiet in His love.” God comes to us quietly, as we quiet our souls before Him. This is the way we are most able to absorb His love for us, in the stillness.
- “He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” As we quiet and still ourselves before Him, growth and transformation occurs in our lives, and our God rejoices over us. It is then He gets loud and celebratory.
This verse reminds me of God’s many blessings …
His Presence with us,
His power at work in our lives,
and His protection over His people.
I read the post a few days late, but right on time for me! There is so much truth packed into this post, I could have highlighted much of it. Michele Morin challenged me to guard my heart and live like the person I profess to be ββ more Christlike today than we were yesterday. Read her entire post HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Gabby Orcutt on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
I am always so humbled and astonished when God brings my words to someone at just the right time. Praising him along with you.
That is one of my favorite verses. Though we know God loves us, sometimes we forget it’s so warm and personal. To think of God delighted in us–what a wonder!
Yes, Barbara, that is it exactly – His delight is warm and personal to each one of us. Beautiful said!
So beautiful Joanne. Love the image of your granddaughter dancing and how you unpacked each part of Zephaniah 3:17. Especially relish in the fact that God “has already distinguished himself by performing heroic deeds.βΒ
Thank you, Karen. It is amazing how God brought my attention to that verse and made me look so carefully at it. I am not sure I had truly done that before with this verse.
I love watching children dance with such abandon! I’ve lost that behavior in myself. π Maybe I need to get some rain boots? lol. My granddaughters love their boots so much. I’m so glad the Lord delights in watching over us as we delight in watching our little ones.
Lisa, I am not sure I ever had that behavior π I am more than grateful for the joy God has given us in watching our little ones. Truly a gift!
Beautiful thoughts, Joanne, children teach us so many things, I am reminded Jesus said unless we become like little children we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. So much to think about there!
Zephania 3.17 is so personal. I love the imagery of Him dancing over us!
I love this verse so much!
I’ve got grandchildren who love to dance, too. And they do love their rainboots!
I love the picture you drew for us of a loud and celebratory God. You made my day!
Oh yes, enjoy your little ones. Before long, they’ll be heading off to college and you’ll wonder where the years went …
And it becomes harder when the pandemic kept you from doing life with them in their final year home.
Zephaniah is a book of the Bible that is not often quoted, but the verse you chose is beautiful and complex.
We have 3 grandsons and they are dancers too! The oldest one even taught his Mimi (me) to do “The Floss”. π
I have always loved that verse. It is such a beautiful image,
Iβve always loved watching my girls dance, Joanne … the one who trained in ballet for many years as well as the one who preferred to βdance at home.βΒ π Itβs kind of mind-blowing to think of God watching over us with the same sort of delight. But, as this verse shows, He does! Hugs, friend.
No wonder that God wants us to be childlike, not childish of course, but with the sweet trust and abandonment that a child has.