Dear Ones,
Hope you have a joy filled day. I am excited as Al and I have a Date Day to go to a book sale which both of us are interested in and then out to Culver’s for lunch. If I am home in time I will go to crafts and Bible study later.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Think upon the words with me that I just read from Zephaniah 3:18, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” When our children were young we played a tape of many scriptures put to music and this was one of them. Today these words are even more meaningful, for doesn’t it just blow your mind to think that the Lord is rejoicing over you and over me with gladness and loud singing?

Yet, how can He rejoice over us when we fail?  He sees our sins, and yet when we repent He welcomes us into His arms of forgiveness with loud singing and great joy. Yes, He is making us into a new creation, but we are far from perfect in our daily living as we tend to get in the way ourselves. I can only think of our children when they were little and confessed when they did something wrong. I was so glad that they admitted and were sorry for whatever they had done! Sometimes it takes a while to get to that place, as it is easier to rationalize our behavior and even blame others. But when we truly know we have done wrong and ask forgiveness, our souls are forgiven and healed and our relationship is restored.

What about when we sin in our thoughts without actually acting on them? When we bring that before the Lord in honesty and repentance, He rejoices. I want to be an open book before the Lord and not hide or rationalize my sinful behavior. When I am real with Him, it seems my heart knows peace and rest. Just as we love our children even when they are naughty, the Lord still loves us and offers forgiveness and feels joy over us.

Challenge for today: Spend some quiet moments with the Lord, and thank Him that He loves you and exults over you with loud singing.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy