His Melodious Grace

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Zeph. 3:17

Here, in this oft-neglected book, tucked away in the obscurity of the 12 Minor Prophets, embedded in the middle, actually, sits one of the most unique revelations in all Holy Writ. God sings. We hear of people singing, mountains, angels, waves, and birds, but have you ever heard God sing? I didn’t think so. The Almighty God, the Creator of time, space, and matter, the Holy One of Israel, sings over His people. Let that truth sink deep into your soul for a moment.

If we look briefly at the context of this promise, Zephaniah had proclaimed judgment upon Judah and the nations. The day of the Lord's wrath was coming. Yet, amid this extremely dark prophecy, we find this sparkling gem of comfort, a glimpse into the very heart of our Savior.

"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty." Oh, what comfort! The omnipotent God dwells among His people. He’s not distant, not aloof. He tabernacled with us in His life, and His power is ever-present for our good in His ascension. In your deepest valley, in your darkest night, remember – the Mighty One is with thee.

"He will save." Here is the essence of the gospel. Our LORD is not only present; He is active in our redemption. The Hebrew word used here, yasha, is the root of the name Jesus. This passage is Messianic- the promise of the Messiah, the surety of His precious Bride!

Not only that but: "He will rejoice over thee with joy." The Eternal One, who needs nothing, lacks nothing, finds delight in you. There is no begrudging acceptance in His love. His love is not a tolerant, low-energy, lazy-boy love but exultant joy! The word used here for "rejoice" implies a person spinning around with intense emotion. Can you fathom it? The Lord of Life, twirling in ecstatic joy – over His people!

Then, there is a slowdown in Hebrew from the joyous motion. "He will rest in his love." Here is constancy, permanence, unchanging affection. Christ's love is not fickle. It's not conditional. He rests in it, satisfied. Content in His love for you. He wants no more love. He can have no less. Nothing can add to this love; nothing can diminish aught from it. It could not be bigger; it's the Love of God. It could not be wider; it's the Love of God. It could not be deeper; it's the Love of God. It could not be stronger; it's the Love of God. It could not be purer; it's the Love of God. It could not be truer; it's the Love of God. It could not be more perfect; it's the Love of God. It could not be more complete; it's the Love of God. It could not be more eternal; it's the Love of God. It could not be more unchanging; it's the Love of God. In this love, He rests. In this love, we find rest in His resting. In this love, He delights; in this love, we are delighted. In this love, He abides; in this love, we are abiding. In this love, He sings, and His words are about you.

And now the momentous revelation: "He will joy over thee with singing." Did you know that this is the only place in all of the Word of God that says God sang? The God who spoke galaxies into existence now lifts His voice in song and lyric – and you, dear child of God, are the words of His melody. This is not His fearsome thundering at Sinai; it's the tender lullaby, the romantic words, and the gentle love of our Triune God. The Hebrew word used here, rinnah, suggests an overflowing triumph and gladness. Beautiful.

Oh, dear one, as you walk through this vale of tears and struggle with sin and sorrow, remember – your Savior is singing over you. His song first began in eternity. It's a song, yes, with a dark and tradgic beginning. Of requited love, stone-cold treachery, and lies. A song about broken hearts and countless shattered lives. But it’s also a song about love eternal, covenant rescue, and blessed redemption for an unholy people. It ends on two notes: one of final victory and the other, eternal, undeniable, unquenchable love. Let this truth help you in trial, comfort you in affliction, and love Christ who is your life with greater devotion. If Jesus finds such joy in you, how can you not surrender all to Him? If He sings over you, will you not lift your voice in reply? Let your every breath be a note in your answering song…the harmony to His melodious grace.

Rest in this love. Rejoice in this song. You are His, and He is singing over you.

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