Songs of Deliverance

I was reading a beautiful verse to my friend yesterday, and even as the words hung in the air, I heard God's voice clearly speaking to my spirit. The verse, from Zephaniah 3:18, encourages us, saying, "He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

God woos us with his tenderness--which is born from his delight. This delight is a result of his Joy in seeing his creation choose his way over their own. We can sense God's tenderness intensely, once we have accepted and learned from His rebuke.

No one likes being told they are wrong, even when they know it is true. Saying we are sorry and changing accordingly (repenting) is even harder. But God's grace is so much more delicious once we appreciate the cavernous depth of our need. Rebuke hurts, but is tolerable when we bear in mind it is driven by pure love and high expectations. And the Holy Spirit wouldn't convict unless he truly believed we were worthy and capable of better. God created us, so don't you think he knows what we are capable of? This brings me to my next thought, which is God's glorious way out.

When God sings over us, He is strengthening us. His songs are weapons He uses against the enemy. He isn't just singing to sound nice, but to deliver us. When God speaks, things happen. He spoke the world into being. If that is what happens when he talks, imagine what he accomplishes when he sings! He sings over us songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7 declares, "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance".

When rebuke comes, remember the pain from your mistake and learn from it. Then, change your reactions to the temptations that sieze you the next time they come. When you are tempted, ask God to deliver you, with a song. And just imagine God's delight as he sings you a tender lullaby, rejoicing over your obedience!