God Celebrates
[God is] a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness… he will exult over you with loud singing. - Zephaniah 3:17
Truths like this one are almost too much for me to absorb. Every day I sin over and over. I don’t think the way I should, I don’t act the way I should. I often long for God’s gifts rather than God himself. And yet God celebrates and is full of joy as he thinks about me. How in the world is this possible?
This juxtaposition between who we are and how God loves us should leave us stunned. Many will use verses like this one to create a horrible, self-affirming conclusion that says we’re basically lovable despite all our defects. Jesus doesn’t need to save us but rather he shows us how to be better.
Instead, verses like this should leave us captured by the gospel. God’s rescue/adoption of the sinner is so complete that no second-guessing or judgment is left for his children. Jesus absorbed all cosmic justice so we could be declared forgiven. There is no anger left. No snarls or disappointment – Jesus paid it all.
So, what should we do in the face of this kind of love? Trust Jesus. Life is all about what God has done and is doing to glorify himself as he saves his children. Trust him.
Thank you Jesus for taking my sin as your own. Thank you for taking my place so the Father looks at me through your righteousness. I’m sorry for thinking that I can work for your approval. Only Jesus’ work saves. Take my pride away and cause me to live in and reflect your goodness.
Song: Jesus paid it all