Fear Calming Love

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 143: Today, I am grateful for fear calming love.

When a verse hits a homerun in your heart, there is nothing like looking at it in multiple translations. It is like wrapping yourself in a comfy robe and enjoying a second cup of coffee.

Since today is not that comfy robe day, I will delight in His Word that is perfect fuel for a Wednesday just a few days before a wedding... at the end of a school year... and just 48 hours before we fill the house with loved ones to join the celebration. 

The desire to get things "just right" can steal the joy. Satan loves it when we fret in the midst of what should be nothing but celebration and rejoicing. So... this verse sticks, today. 

I relish the reminder that "with his love, he will calm, all your fears." 

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)

That was the New Living Translation and here it is in the New Living Translation:

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 (ESV)

I encourage you to go to Biblegateway and type in the passage. Then, scroll to the bottom and click on the link to "All English Translations". Pick a favorite or two... or three. What about my dear old friend the New International Version:

"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.” -Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

In some, we see the Mighty Warrior who protects, rescues and saves. 

In other translations, I giggle to think of God loudly singing. It makes me think of Dad's raucous singing. Dad in church... he couldn't carry a tune. But he hit the "joyful" note with every loud, brash, spirited attempt. Imagining "Kenny in the Choir" in heaven makes me smile, laugh... and get a little "homesick" for loved ones gone. Dad was glad musical talent could be married into the gene pool. 

"He will quiet you with his love."  The image is pure comfort... and then he breaks out in singing. 

"In love... no longer will he rebuke... but celebrate." 

Such a wonderous love, the world attempts to achieve, but He is the source. To know Him is to know love... for He is love. He delights in us. Isn' that fun? Amazing? Awesome?

This day is His gift to be unwrapped with tender care, treasures, celebrated and embraced. 

Off we go... to embrace the day. 

Today, I am grateful for fear calming love