GOD’S GLADNESS IN HIS PEOPLE

Zephaniah 3:17 ought to inspire us to rejoice in a God who rejoices in His people!

“The LORD your God in your midst” is the delight of God’s people in the presence of God with them.  There is no greater joy and no higher satisfaction than to be in communion with God.  It is for this we were made in His image, and this is what Adam and Eve enjoyed before sin disrupted the fellowship. It was that communion which God also found delight in and so has moved to restore it in Christ.  We want to be with those we love.  Separation from them by distance or death grieves us.  God loves us and wants to be with us, and nothing can separate us from His love if we desire it (Rom.8:35-39).

“The Mighty One, will save” means that the One with us is not just a loyal, sympathetic companion—though He is that—but, is mighty to save!  God delights in the deliverance of sinners into salvation and saints into consolation.  He not only is well-pleased to do so, but well able!  Think of Jesus and all He suffered on the cross to bring us redemption, yet Hebrews 12:2 says, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Jesus had joy despite His pain in accomplishing His mission.  This is the gladness of God toward us.  Salvation is the greatest provision for our greatest problem at the greatest price for the greatest purpose—the glory of God!

“He will rejoice over you with gladness” we are told. Is this not an amazing picture?  We can bring joy to the heart of God!  Not only is our delight found in Him, but He has pleasure in us!  John Piper has a trademark saying, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”  Our glorifying Him brings forth gladness in God’s gracious heart.  Think about what we have already said of our coming to Him and His salvation of us and recall the story of the Prodigal Son—which would more appropriately be known as the parable of the Father’s Heart.  Remember how the father ran to meet the boy?  Recall their embrace and the rejoicing—along with the party that was prepared!  This is how God rejoices over us!

“He will quiet you with His love” means that when our mind is racing and our heart is in turmoil, God will give us peace.  His constant love will quiet us as when He spoke to the storm and said, “Peace; be still!”  The winds and waves had to obey Him.

“He will rejoice over you with singing.”  We know we should rejoice over the Lord with singing, but have we ever considered that God rejoices over us in song?  How astonishing—yet, it is true.  There is a song in God’s heart when He contemplates His children, and it issues forth in the most splendid voice when He rejoices over us!

This is God’s gladness in His people!