Sermon snippet – The Savior’s Song of Lasting Love
INTRODUCTION – Zephaniah 3:17 is really quite astonishing: “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” That He would sing with joy over us is remarkable. Together, let us explore how Jesus, God the Son, fulfills this verse.
1. JESUS NEVER LEAVES US
Our Savior God is “in the midst.” Of course, our Lord is omnipresent – a truly comforting truth – but this statement also reveals His deep desire to be with us. The extent to which He comes alongside us is demonstrated in His Incarnation, His bodily presence here on earth – a presence which culminated in His substitutionary atonement on the Cross. The immediate presence of God the Holy Spirit within each Christian continues the fulfillment of the absolute promise of Hebrews 13:5-6.
2. JESUS RESCUES US
“He will save,” for He “is mighty” in all that He does. The power of this promise is profound, for it is based on our Lord’s omnipotence. His deliverance includes daily protection from bad circumstances and influences, but the focus of our salvation is eternal. I John 4:8-10 brings us to the Cross. This very specific fulfillment of the promise of Zephaniah 3:17 reminds us that any rescue involves cost (at the very least, time and energy). Our need was so great that the cost also had to be great. Only Jesus could complete this dramatic rescue.
3. JESUS JOYS OVER US
“He will rejoice over thee with joy.” This is not a casual moment of good feelings; it is a strong expression of strong emotion. The repetition means that our God joys over us with joyfulness! Real joy rings through the halls of heaven when even one is saved (Luke 15:10). Isaiah 62:5b points us to the joy of the bridegroom, which prefigures the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ (Revelation 21:2, 9). We also rightly remember the death of Jesus, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross” (Hebrews 12:2).
4. JESUS GIVES US REST
“He will rest in His love.” The fine New American Standard Version translates this sentence, “He will quiet you with His love.” Here is a love so deep, so deeply felt, that it cannot be completely expressed by words. Rest! How we yearn for real rest! The invitation of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 fulfills this promise and provides us with His calm and blessed assurance.
5. JESUS SINGS OVER US
“He will joy over thee with singing.” Yes, this is what the Bible clearly states. God loves music, as evidenced by the Psalms. Jesus Himself sang the Passover Psalms (Psalms 113-118; note especially Psalm 118:24) even as He approached the Cross (Matthew 26:30).
CONCLUSION – However, it is not as remarkable as the fact that this everlasting love song was written when Jesus died for us on the Cross. “It is finished!” Jesus shouted these words of victory as He completed His work of salvation (John 19:30). May each one of us be certain that our faith is entirely and only in the Savior, Jesus Christ.