<p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">God Rejoices Over You</span></p><p><span style="color: #000000;">CARRIE ZEILSTRA, COMPEL Training Member</span></p><p><span style="color: #000000;">Lee en español</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">A deep sigh escaped my lungs, sounding loud in my dark living room. Why can’t you get it together? I chided myself with a familiar narrative. You’re such a mess. You didn’t even make your family a decent dinner. The house is cluttered. What is wrong with you?</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">Tears rolled down my face. I should have been exhausted, but my inner critic kept me awake … again.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">I cried out, Father, I am always so behind and scattered. I feel like a failure.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">In the silence, God reminded me of a Bible verse that a friend had shared with me years earlier. I couldn’t remember all the words. Feeling hopeful, I turned on a lamp, grabbed my Bible, and turned the thin pages until I found it.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">A memory flashed across my mind. I was driving, with my toddler in the back seat. In the rearview mirror, I could see my son’s head bobbing side to side as I sang to him. I often sang familiar melodies but replaced the lyrics with his name. My son’s face was lit up with joy, despite the tears on his eyelashes from a tantrum moments earlier. My heart swelled with love.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">The picture in my mind shifted. It was the same scene but with God in the driver’s seat, loudly singing a beautiful melody over me. My mind quieted.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">I read the verse again and whispered a prayer of gratitude. Thank You that You are in my midst. You sing over me because I am Your child. You rejoice over me with gladness. That night, God’s song drowned out the negative narrative I spoke to myself.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">My worth does not lie in check marks on my to-do list or even in how I perceive myself. My weaknesses don’t define me — the God of the universe does!</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">* To exist; reside,  To consist or have as a basis. Often used with in: </span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">Sometimes my mind is still unkind to my heart. But when I choose to focus on the Lord’s presence, I picture Him singing over me. Singing my name because He knows me. His love song quiets my mind.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">God reminds me that even when I am wrestling with my thoughts, I am worth saving. Even when I think I am lacking, I am His child. Even when I can’t see past my shortcomings, He is rejoicing over me in song.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">My ears may never hear the notes on this side of eternity, but oh, what a beautiful melody it is.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="color: #000000;">Dear Lord, quiet my mind with Your love. Let Your song over me be louder than the negative thoughts I have about who I am. Help me to find my worth in being Your child, not in my untrustworthy feelings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.</span></p><p> </p>
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