Zephaniah 3:17(NIV) The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
When I was just a little boy, I can remember that feeling I had when I was in my dad’s arms. For me, it was the safest place of all. I remember, with great fondness, looking up at his face, as he smiled down towards me. Even now as I close my eyes, I can almost picture my dad looking at me, and smiling over me. In those moments that I spent in his arms, he would sing over me. His words were so soothing to me. They brought me peace. He would take great delight in me. He always told me that he loved me. When I was afraid or even a little scared, he would quiet me with his love. He would say, “Son, I love you, your daddy is here. Everything is going to be all right now. Daddy’s here just for you.”
There were days when his touch upon my head made me smile, because I knew that he was there watching over; encouraging me, and rejoicing over me, telling me how happy I made him feel just because I was his son.
My father past away a number of years ago now. There have been days that I’ve wished I could have turned back the clock, just to tell my dad one more time that I love him. I really do miss my dad. On the day that he past away, this verse of scripture came into my heart: Psalm 68:5(NIV), “A father to the fatherless”.
My ABBA Father in heaven says to me, in Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
My friend, my heavenly ABBA Father, is watching over me. He calls me His treasured possession, the apple of His eye. There have been times when I have felt as if His hand is upon my head, letting me know that He is watching over me. To be in the loving arms of my ABBA Father is safest place of all. He takes great delight in me, just because I am His son. When I feel afraid or even a little scared, He quiets me with His love. He says to me, “Everything is going to be alright. Your ABBA Father is here just for you.” His words are so soothing to me. They bring me peace. He rejoices over me by singing songs of His never-ending love for me. ABBA Father, “I love you.”
God can be your ABBA Father, too. He is only a prayer away. Today ask Jesus Christ to come into your life. Receive Him as your Lord and Saviour, and let God become your heavenly ABBA Father today, so you may know the fullness of our text today in your life. Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
God bless you my friend, Matthew.
My thought for today 
This word has been quite timely and addressed what I am going through at the moment. I truly needed an assurance that the Lord my God is with me.
Be blessed!
By: JUDITH ONYINGE on March 5, 2009
at 6:54 am
Matthew,
How beautiful to read about the love you share with your biological and Heavenly Father. I was preparing to lead worship tonight and was looking for inspiration on the song “Mighty to Save.” While perusing the web, I came across your blog. My mom passed Nov. 2007, very painful… How comforting to know our Heavenly Father is right here with us, encouraging and singing over us… While we miss our moms and dads, we have the Most High right here with us. We believe in His promises and hold fast to our faith in Him. To God be the glory!
By: Tammy Bullock on May 29, 2009
at 6:20 pm
I walked into a church service one day, searching and questioning. I had been calling on God for a refuge. A young man stood singing, as I entered this devotional. He was one of many, and many before, that I had watched and followed as they led worship, but this day I noted a particular quality of his voice. I did not know what it was, could not describe it, and in fact, I could not stand to hear it.. It was terrifying. I left that meeting before it ended, actually, I collected my things and left within my first ten minutes of attendance. I did not have courage to return to this particular meeting for another two weeks, and then only after God pressed upon me as he had to get me to that particular meeting the first time that I needed him, and that I could find Him with those people there.. I returned, and that same individual led in devotional songs… I could not sing. (I truly love to sing.) I could not move. I could only listen. For weeks, I attended this service, drawn to it, but unmistakenly perturbed by what I could only distinguish as a particular quality of this worship leaders voice.. Then, one day, I heard it. The quality of his voice that kept me captive, I heard. In fact, it wasn’t his voice that I was hearing at all. It was another. There were two people singing. I could heard God singing over his voice… and I knew it. I did not know this man, but I know that I heard God.. This young man inspired a fear of God that I had never gained in my “so called” Christian walk. Three months later, I was fully restored to an upright walk with my God, my Father, who rejoices over me with singing. I will not forget this experience for the rest of my life: ZEPH 3:17. God Bless you!
By: Lesa on March 21, 2010
at 8:31 am
This scripture has been spoken to me 3 times in as many days. I first received it through an email as a part of daily verses that I receive. Then I heard it this morning through a preacher on tv. And finally, as I was driving to work, I heard it in a song…..The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” It is so good to know that the Lord delights in me and sings over me…in spite of my imperfections! He amazes me and I am so grateful that He loved me enough to send His son to die on the cross…just for me.
By: Teresa on April 20, 2010
at 5:31 pm
I am very blessed to have read everyones story of how God The Father has been such a presence in their life in the absence of their mom or dad.
I to have lost my mom and dad and wait for the day we are united again. What a day that will be!!! God has been faithful to take care of us! I love Him with all my heart!
By: Maryanne on April 1, 2011
at 6:00 pm
I was looking up this Scripture to send to a friend and came across your devotional. It spoke to my heart (I am 84 years old) because I grew up without a father. Because of the touching nature of your devotional, I wanted to make a cc to read over and over because I STILL struggle with issues from my abandonment. I was disappointed to learn that I cannot make a copy. May I ask your permission to make a copy? Blogging is a new experience to me and I have no idea how it works – but I’m sending this anyway.
Yours, in Christ. Carol
By: Carol MacKenzie on July 17, 2017
at 2:12 pm