Rejoice!

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read Zephaniah 3:14-20 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

We’re in the third week of advent and we have just celebrated the third Sunday of Advent, “Rejoice Sunday”. “Gaudete Sunday”. Often our hymns and responses will have reminded us to REJOICE in the Lord. Here’s a question then - are you rejoicing?

Most of us like to see a feel good film or perhaps to read a feel good book. Well today we have a feel good passage given to us. Like other minor prophets, the book of the prophet Zephaniah begins in judgement, but it ends with a joyful message, a hopeful message, and God’s people are bidden to rejoice and exalt, because God is merciful, because our God is not just a distant force but He is a living reality, ever present in our midst. So the people are bidden to rejoice: ‘Sing aloud, O daughter Zion! Shout O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart!’ (v.14).

And what’s more, not only are we to rejoice in Him but we are to realise that HE rejoices in US. In this passage we see that God doesn’t just forgive His people, He delights in His people, despite all that has gone before—despite the sins and shortcomings of His people God never gives up on them. Although He knows our every weakness, He always sees in us what we are capable of becoming by His grace. He delights in you.

Our passage today speaks of healing and restoration indeed of transformation: saving the lame, gathering in the outcast, and restoring the fortunes of the people, and then these beautiful words ‘I will bring you home’ (v.20). This healing, restoration and transformation would come to fruition in and through the life, the ministry and saving work of Jesus Christ in whom is our hope, and in whom we find our eternal home. What a fabulous feel good passage is given to us today. So - are you rejoicing? Rejoice and exalt with all your heart, and know that God rejoices in you. I conclude with the words of the well known hymn:

Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord and judge shall come And take His servants up to their eternal home: Lift up your heart, Lift up your voice! Rejoice, again I say, rejoice! Amen.