. . . He will rejoice over you with singing.

 Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

I could recognize the melody but not the words. It was my son singing his seven-year-old daughter to sleep. She often called him to sing as she dropped off. I marveled at his love gift of song. She will treasure those whispered melodies in the tenderest parts of her memories forever. Little Caroline has experienced a rarity, being quieted by her father’s song and love.

How amazing to know that our heavenly Father also sings over us! The prophet, Zephaniah, spoke to the faithful remnant of Judah, The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing (Zeph. 3:17 NKJV).

Though Zephaniah spoke of God’s judgement, he also expressed Yahweh’s love for His faithful remnant—the meek, the humble, and the trusting. Their Mighty One promised to save, to rejoice over them with singing, and to quiet them with His love.

We, too, as followers of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, can experience these same dimensions of His love. Though we might not have a human father to sing us to sleep, we can doze off recounting glimpses of our heavenly Father’s love sprinkled throughout our day. These tiny reminders can help us quieten our own hearts as if we, just like little Caroline, have a Father singing over us. 

Father, open my heart and mind to see the demonstrations of Your love throughout my day. When I am anxious or lonely, remind me of Your love that surrounds me. Teach me how to rest my thoughts within it. Amen

Linda Lesniewski                                       

 *All verses are NKJV