verse4today: "How great you are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you. We have never even heard of another God like you." (II Samuel 7:22)
Posted on 2012-04-30 via Twitter
Today is a guide for daily devotions published by Back to God Ministries. I grew up on Today, though during the years of my youth it appeared under a different title. My parents used it as a tool for table devotions. Each devotion includes a verse from scripture, a brief meditation, and a prayer. The distinct parts make it easy to share the responsibility of leadership. One child can read the scripture, another the meditation, and another the prayer. The format hasn't changed over the years. It has been, and probably will always be, a scripture, a meditation and a prayer.
Like my parents, my wife, Debbie, and I use Today for table devotions. I will admit, however, that I am not nearly as devoted to the habit as were my parents. I don't get to it as much as I would like. In fact, I didn't get to it yesterday, so I read yesterday's devotion today - about an hour ago. I found yesterday's daily devotion, penned by Rev. Harvey Stob of Ann Arbor, MI, especially encouraging. I thought you might like it so I include it here in its entirety. Here are Rev. Stob's reflections on Zephaniah 3:17, where we read, "The LORD your God … will rejoice over you with singing.”
"A well-known catechism says we were made 'to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.' I think I know how to glorify God; I’m not so sure I know how to enjoy him. Fear God, respect God, worship God, give thanks to God—yes. Enjoy him? I have to learn how to do that better. Might God enjoy us? God forgives us, watches over us, sometimes punishes us, always blesses us. But might he enjoy us too?
Zephaniah says that one day, when we are pure and healthy and full of life (as God created us to be), God will express his delight in us by singing! Can you imagine what that performance will be like! One Bible version translates Zephaniah 3:17 this way: “He will dance with shouts of joy for you” (Jerusalem Bible). Have you ever thought of God dancing with joy—for us?
"Jesus’ parable of the lost son gives us a picture of the amazing grace of God our Father (Luke 15:11-32). In the parable, when the father sees his rebellious son returning home, he runs toward him, throws his arms around him, and kisses him. The father is that excited to welcome his son home. Our heavenly Father—indeed, all heaven—rejoices over every sinner who repents (see Luke 15:7, 10, 24, 32). Imagine the celebration when the Lord comes to live among us forever!"