And I Rejoice Over You With Singing

March 25

Zephaniah 3:17 “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Through elementary and junior high school, I was part of a music (choir) class every year as it was a requirement to be in the class.  Overall, I enjoyed the class and looked forward to the concerts and performances that we had throughout each year.  There was always a yearly Christmas concert and often a concert in the fall and spring.  The concerts were an opportunity to showcase to our parents and grandparents what we had been working on in class.  While I never volunteered to do a solo in any of the concerts, I participated fully and worked hard in the class.    

Early in eighth grade, I planned out what classes I would take in high school.  I registered with the guidance counselor and was happy with the classes I would be taking for the next four years.  One of those classes was choir.  I planned to continue taking choir as it was something I enjoyed.  However, that plan changed in the second semester.  A couple of students began teasing me and saying that I couldn’t sing.  They even covered their ears at times when we were in class.  One of those students told me that “I was the best monotone singer” he had ever heard.  At that moment, I stopped singing.  I stayed in choir that year (because I had to), but I never sang above a whisper.  I also dropped choir in high school.  I took to heart what those students told me and, if I’m being honest, I still think about what they said when I am singing and there are others around me.  

However, when I am alone, I will often sing “at the top of my lungs.”  I greatly enjoy Christian music and will “crank it up” when I’m by myself at home or traveling somewhere in my truck.  Maybe I am just “making a joyful noise,” but I don’t care.  The music moves me, and often I feel a (closer) connection to God when I’m singing.  There is joy in my heart and a smile on my face while I’m singing praises to the One who loves me, forgives me, and calls me His child.  I try to imagine God rejoicing over me with singing.  To see the delight on His face and the joy He displays as He thinks about me.  Does He have a special song just for me?  Is He doing this every minute of every day?  Do I bring Him that much joy and happiness?  Does He “smile from ear to ear” when He sees me?  A Father’s love and joy that is so pure and so true that He rejoices over me with singing.  How amazing!