The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 KJV
As I read the first sentence in today's extract, I wonder what could make God have to remind Zion that its God is mighty. Is there ever a doubt about the power and might of the God of Israel? Is there ever a doubt that God is able to heal, deliver, set free and save? If the question has to be asked, then it is important to consider why it would be asked. The one thing that is sure to cast doubt on the power of God to save and deliver is SIN; I do not know of any other thing that can limit the power of God in a person's life. God is very powerful; a lot of evidence exists to fully support that statement. As you listen to the testimonies and accounts of people all over the world, you will admit that indeed, there is nothing this God cannot do. You then have to wonder: why is God not celebrated all over the world?
He is mighty; no doubt, but does he hold total control over my life? Is He God over all that I am and have, or does he have to make a case for or prove a point to me before I allow him access? It is when he is in the midst of me that his might and power are best seen. If I do not give him access, it does not reduce his might or power in any way, shape or form, but I am the one who cannot experience the fullness of God's power. What I feel cannot change who God is, but when I allow him work and fully embrace and acknowledge him in my life, I allow him be all he can be. He can work on the outside of me, as my feelings are not what make him God, and if I reject him, others will accept him and allow him work. That is when the other parts of today's extract applies.
He will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Check out how many WILLs are there in that single verse. God wants to show himself strong and mighty in any life that is totally given to him. He can, and he wants to, but my free will must also come into play here. He can and will save to the uttermost all who come to him. His heart is full of love because that is what defines him and his character. He rejoices when he sees me, his creation. His love is such that will not let go, even when everything falls to pieces. His heart is quite full of love, even when he has to punish sin. His heart seeks after eternal impact, and that is why he can rest in the love he has for us. He knows that the love he has shown is sufficient to draw man to himself, and he knows that the sacrifice he made is enough to guarantee eternal life. His heart sings with joy, and as we know, the kingdom of God is not one of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. This is the picture of the package that is available in God.
Once again, it must be emphasised: all that God is is who he is. There is nothing I can do to reduce who he is; I can only limit him in what he can do in and through me. I get to live by the consequences of the choices I make. That is in me, not on God. All he is and offers have been laid out very clearly, and what I stand to gain, become and end up have also been made clear. The nature of God is such that even in a million years to come, his nature of love will not change, as it has been consistent since the earth was formed. That is the basis of confidence in that which God has made clear and what he has said to me. I also can rest in his love, because I have embraced his love and accepted him as my Lord and Saviour. Can you also say the same thing too? As long as there is life, it is not too late but as soon as death comes, all that is left is the decision I took about the son of God. Eternity is too long a time not to be sure of where you will spend it. Embrace God's love today, and you would have secured eternity. His time of favour is here.
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