The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing.

— Zephaniah 3:17

I feel uncomfortable around loud people. They draw attention. I felt like hiding under a table when some of my companions broke into song upon entering McDonald’s during a high school lunch break. So I was shocked the first time I read Zephaniah 3:17.

Imagine God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, bolting to His feet from His throne upon sighting you, swaying as if in a trance, and belting out a tune that could be heard around the universe. All because of you! It sounds almost undignified. Maybe I can picture Him elbowing the angel next to Him and say, Look at that one.” But loud singing is bound to turn heads. I hope God sings on key!

Looking at it differently, God is not some remote figure. He is passionate. In spite of all my sins and mistakes, I stir something deep inside Him. This passion is not a generic love for all the world. It’s aroused by me. He’s also passionate about you!

So if you are feeling a little insignificant and lost in this sea of 7 billion people, picture this: God notices you and exults over you with loud singing.

© 2016 David Harlen Brooks | All rights reserved.