Zephaniah 3:17 can be translated as "God will dance over you with joy." Another possible translation is "God rejoices over you with bodily movement." Of course, "God is Spirit" (Jn 4:24) and not man. Yet Scripture at times describes God in human terms, which makes it easier for us to relate to Him. God loves His people like a human father or mother (see e.g. Hos 11:4; Is 49:15-16; Lk 15:20ff). God is described as leaping over the mountains like a lover to be with us (Sg 2:8).
As wondrous as it is to bask in the wonder of God dancing over us, it is even more wonderful to consider that we human beings have the capacity to give the Creator of the universe joy (Zep 3:17). We can make Him happy, as it were. We can console the heart of the Lord.
God has no need of our praise, but He delights in His people (Ps 149:4). Let us spend our lives bringing joy to the One Who loves us so deeply. Let us receive God's very own joy (Jn 15:11) and then return that joy to Him (see Lk 15:10, 32; Rv 4:9-10). Bring God great joy by your repentant, loving, obedient, and faithful life.
| PRAYER: | "Take joy, my King, in what You hear. Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear." |
| PROMISE: | "Blest is she who trusted that the Lord's words to her would be fulfilled." –Lk 1:45 |
| PRAISE: | "O Radiant Dawn, Splendor of eternal light, Sun of Justice: Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College