VII.
The prophet gives reasons for the people to rejoice and mentions also The Lord rejoicing.

Is joy a two-way relationship?

Today pay attention to how the joy of The Lord is expressed.

VII.
Zephaniah 3:14-20 (NRSVue)

Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
     shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
     O daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
     he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
     you shall fear disaster no more.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Do not fear, O Zion;
     do not let your hands grow weak.
The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
     a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
     he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
     as on a day of festival.”
I will remove disaster from you,
     so that you will not bear reproach for it.
I will deal with all your oppressors
     at that time.
And I will save the lame
     and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
     and renown in all the earth.
At that time I will bring you home,
     at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
     among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
     before your eyes, says the Lord.

IX.
Did you notice –

The Lord, your God, is in your midst …
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
     he will renew you in his love…

Do you think that only applies to the prophet’s immediate audience?

Might it apply to those of us, even today, that seek God’s Kingdom?

How do you experience the nearness of God, ie “in your midst”?

What about God’s gladness?

And let’s not forget “his love.”

Do you have cause to rejoice, sing and shout today?

If the answer is “yes,” name what they are. Maybe even give a shout of joy?

If the answer is “no,” name what hinders you from taking notice of “God … in your midst.”

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}