Listen

Rejoice, Daughter Zion! Shout, Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem.

The Lord has removed your judgment; he has turned away your enemy.

The Lord, the king of Israel, is in your midst; you will no longer fear evil.

On that day, it will be said to Jerusalem: Don’t fear, Zion. Don’t let your hands fall.

The Lord your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:14-17

Think

What are the things that keep you from experiencing real joy?

The prophet calls you to rejoice and celebrate with all your heart. Why?

Because God is right in your midst, nearby and close at hand. Even more amazing is the news that God is at work removing the ways that judgement blocks your joy.

Try to imagine God drawing close to you right now – creating calm by means of God’s own love. Imagine the obstacles that stand between you and a sense of joy being wiped away one by one. Imagine, as the prophet describes, God singing you songs of joy – waiting for you to join in the song!

Rejoice, because the source of real joy is so much closer than you realize.

Jon Brown

Pray

Thank you, Lord, that you are already at work removing obstacles that keep me from real joy.

Help me to listen for your songs of joy that surround my life today.

Amen.

Go

“God is closer to me than I am to myself.” (St. Augustine in Confessions)

Rest for a moment, as it were, in the curve of God’s smile.

Rise up, renewed by God’s love.