36(Zephaniah 3,17) The Father's Song

Zephaniah 3:17

Read Ephesians 3:4-6

By this we can know that Zephaniah speaks not just to Israel.

We must banish from our minds forever any thought that God admits us to His kingdom begrudgingly, as though Christ found a loophole in the law and squeaked us by.

God himself put Christ forward as our substitutionary sacrifice.

When we trust God, He welcomes us with bells on. He puts a ring on our finger, kills the fatted calf, throws a party, shouts a shout that shakes the ends of creation.

“Isn’t that a bit unseemly and undignified of God to get so excited and shout and carry on this way?”

Remember David and Michal. The Lord struck her barren for the rest of her life.

For He intends to be mightily enjoyed, and one day he will show us how to rejoice with all His might!

Can you imagine what it would be like if you could hear the Father singing? It was merely a spoken word that brought all of creation into being.

What would happen if God lifted up His voice and not only spoke but sang?

I.       Closeness

There are people hurting today, folks who don’t sense the presence of God as their father. For them, God is a distant force to be recokoned with some day. But look:

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee …”

When we worship it is not to a distant God, but one who is near.

As we draw near, he draws near, He is not aloof.

II.    Comfort

There are those today who are afraid: afraid of tomorrow, of their health, their finances, their future. But listen:

“The might one (warrior), will save”.

Security when dad is around, takes care of things.

Worship lets us know everything is going to work out (Romans 8:28).

III. Celebration

There is someone here today who doubts their own worth before God. “I don’t approach the Lord or the church because I have nothing to offer.”

 “He will rejoice over thee with joy…”

Worship is not a funeral.

Luke 9:60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."

Worship and praise is alive, it is about life.

IV.  Calming

If you want to worship, but there is a trauma, a tragedy, a crisis that keeps you from being able to rejoice:

“he will rest in his love…”

“He will quiet you with His love…”

Worship leaves us feeling loved.

V.     Singing, rejoicing.

“he will joy over thee with singing…”