HE DELIGHTS IN ME
"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 (NIV)
I have six children and five grandchildren. A favorite spot in our home is the family room wall, covered with pictures from years of doing life together. I couldn't tell you how many photos hang there, but my grandbabies love pointing to familiar faces and naming the people they know. Each picture holds a memory--years of life, laughter, milestones and growth. As I look at those photos and see my family taking their next steps after high school, attending college or starting families of their own, my heart is filled with love and delight for each of them.
God delights in me the very same way. He doesn't focus on my failures, mistakes or flaws. Instead, He looks at me with love, joy and compassion. He calls me His daughter, His beloved, and He rejoices over me with singing. Even through every season of my life, His delight in me has never changed. When I feel forgotten, discouraged or unworthy, I can rest in the truth that God sees me through the eyes of perfect love. Just as I treasure the memories and milestones of my children and grandchildren, God treasures every part of my story. He's been present in every joyful moment, every heartbreak, every victory and every struggle, loving me faithfully through it all.
Often we sing to Him, but today's Scripture teaches us that He is also singing over us. May we allow His delight to overwhelm us all over again.
APPLICATION: Today, take a few moments to reflect on the ways God has been faithful throughout your life. Instead of focusing on your flaws or failures, choose to see yourself through the eyes of God's love and delight. Write down three moments where you've seen His goodness and thank Him for His constant delight.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for loving me so deeply and delighting in me as Your child. Remind me daily that I am cherished, seen and rejoiced over by You. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?