Zephaniah 3:14-17 - Love that forgives

Scripture:

Zephaniah 3:14-17
14 Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion!
Shout in triumph, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away His judgments against you,
He has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
You will fear disaster no more.
16  In that day it will be said to Jerusalem:
" Do not be afraid, O Zion;
Do not let your hands fall limp.
17 "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.
NASU


Thoughts:

God's love is truly amazing.  These words -- an end time prophecy (verse 16) -- were given to His nation in rebellion against Him.  Soon after this, they would experience His discipline as a result. 

And yet, knowing their sin and rebellion that would continue even to this day, we see His love for them.  Look at verse 17.  This is a picture of an overflowing love.  To think of God rejoicing over anyone with "shouts of joy," much less promising this to those currently under His judgment!

The challenge for us then, is what does our love look like?  Is our love one that overlooks the offenses committed by others against us?  Is ours a forgiving love?

Too often, we love selfishly.  When another does what we want, then we will like them or maybe even love them.  However, this is not at all like God's love. 

Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
NASU

God loved each of us when we too, were in rebellion against Him.  Therefore, Christ provided the means for our salvation -- dying for our sins in our place.  As Christians, having received such great love, how can we do less?


Prayer:

Lord, give me a love like Yours.  A love that is forgiving.  A love that is unselfish.  This is not natural!  I need Your help, today.

Help me to love those closest to me, and all those You bring across my path, with Your love.

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.