Christian livingPowerPrayer

Powerful And Loving

Too many times we charge ahead striving for victory when what we really need to do is kneel in worship trusting in our Victorious warrior who has secured our freedom.  In modern Christendom, it’s common to hear about a patient and gentle God and I agree He is, but we must also remember that no one can stand before Him.  He is THE King.  A good king mind you, but a king.  Within His power, are life and breath of every living being.  For He has the power to create, to give, and to take away. 

Not only is He a mighty warrior but an amazing loving Father. Read Zeph 3:17 again.

“The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”

‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NASB‬ http://bible.com/100/zep.3.17.nasb
4 ‭things stand out to show His love for His people:

He is with us

He is not a Set it and forget it kind of God.  We weren’t created and then watched from the heavens and we are not pawns in His game as the Clash of the Titans movie might suggest. He is a personal God who desires to dwell “with us”. For He has promised never to leave or forsake us  and that He will be with us till the end of the age.   He is certainly in our midst!

He exults over us

The text says He exults over us with joy. The verse cross referenced in Isaiah 62:5 where it speaks of how a groom rejoices over his bride.  They way he looks at her knowing that the love of his life is now joined to him and they are one. 

He renews us

“He will be quiet in His love” in some older manuscripts was “He renews you in His love”. I love the thought of how His love renews us as we enjoy His presence!

He rejoiced over us

Not only is He loving and gracious, but He actually rejoices over us with shouts of joy.  When He looks at us He shouts joyously!   What greater testimony can there be to the power and love that was demonstrated at the cross.  The power to crush sin and restore us to the Father so much so that He sees us as righteous and is so pleased that shouts of joy are uttered over us!

Reflection

When was the last time you meditated on the power God has as a mighty and victorious warrior?

When was the last time you pondered the great love with which our Father in heaven loves you?

Spend some time in prayer thanking God for who He is, both a powerful, victorious warrior and a compassionate loving Father.  

Prayer

Father, you own the universe and all that is in it. For you are greater than all you have created.  You command the many galaxies and the micro world as well.  Teach us to rest in Your victory and walk in faith.  Renew us in Your love and let us hear Your shouts of joy that we may confidently know the depths of Your power and love and be encouraged to walk in the good works You prepared in advance for us to walk in.  We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen!