#MapIt: Understanding Zephaniah 3:17
This week in our Proverbs 31 Bible study using Limitless Life by Derwin L. Gray, our key verse is Zephaniah 3:17. The NIV version is above. Here are some other translations:
“Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.” (The Message)New American Standard Bible (NASB):
“The Lord your God is in your midst, A [a]victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy, He will [b]be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”a. Lit A warrior who saves
b. Or with some ancient versions, renew you in
“The Lord your God is with you, a Powerful One Who wins the battle. He will have much joy over you. With His love He will give you new life. He will have joy over you with loud singing.” (New Life Version)
God is with you
Stop and think about it for a minute. The mighty, all-powerful God, who created the universe by speaking a few words, is with you. He is “omnipresent” – present everywhere. Psalm 139 talks about this in great detail and reminds us that God is in the heavens, the depths, on the far side of the sea, in the darkness, and even inside the womb when a baby is being formed. No matter where we go, we cannot hide from God, because He is there too. Hebrews 13:5 states that God will never leave us or forsake us.
God saves you
God is our mighty warrior who fights on our behalf and saves us. What a beautiful picture! Jesus Christ loved us enough to give up His rightful place and be born as a helpless human baby. He submitted Himself to the same restrictions and frustrations we face, yet without sin. He lived a perfect life and allowed His life to be sacrificed on the cross as the Lamb of God, so that He could save us and give us limitless life.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)
One of my Bible School professors challenged us to “live beyond the comma” – allowing Jesus to save us AND living life to the fullest extent possible. Ted Dekker talks about the fact Jesus didn’t just save us from Hell; He also saves us from a meaningless life here on earth.
God delights in you
You make God dance with joy! He shouts because He’s so excited about you. You give God pleasure. You are His priceless treasure. He is like a lover who delights in you so much that He declares his love for you wherever he goes. You make His heart sing.
I’m amazed at our Father’s love. I’m grateful that He’s set me free. I serve Him, not because I have to, but because I want to, because it brings me joy and fulfillment and the opportunity to tell others about His amazing love.
Are you living beyond the comma, or are you still hungering for God’s limitless life? Ask God to reveal His love to you in a new way. Then, be prepared to be swept off your feet by the tidal wave of His love. Jesus loves YOU!
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Loved your post Ruth . Where you said to live beyond the comma. How awesome we limit the work of God in our lives . As we strive to live a Limited life we need to allow God to come afresh to us and show us His love for us in a new way. thanks for sharing and speaking to my heart today.
Marilyn (P31 OBS Ministry Team)
Marilyn,
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, we do limit the work of God in our lives, way too often. I’m glad my post was an encouragement to you. Let’s both allow God to help us live beyond the comma!
Loved how you broke down the word! Expounded on it with so much insight! Thank you!
Sabrina,
Thanks for stopping by. Mapping this verse was a real encouragement to me. I’m glad it ministered to you as well. Keep seeking God’s best in your life.
This is terrific Ruth! I love the thought of living beyond the comma. I also LOVED the thought that I make God dance for joy. That thought just excites me…actually I loved that whole paragraph. Thank you so much for sharing today!
Tonya ~ Proverbs 31 Ministries OBS Team
Tonya,
We serve an amazing God, don’t we 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the post and found it encouraging. Keep enjoying God’s love and sharing it.
Ruth, I really enjoyed your post! I immediately went to Psalm 139 and read how God IS everywhere and how He knows my every thought and word, etc. I love how you have “mapped” this verse this week and will continue to follow all of your encouraging words! Thank you so much for sharing!
Sylvia,
Thanks for stopping by. Psalm 139 made a huge difference in my life when I committed it to memory and meditated on it. I’m glad you found my post helpful. Keep seeking God.