Lift Up Your Head!

“….do not let your hands hang limp. 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: 16-17

At a recent ladies Bible study this passage of Scripture from Zephaniah 3 was the basis for our opening prayer. We also had a brief discussion of the text – we looked at how well it expresses the Father’s attitude towards His chosen, especially when we are discouraged by life circumstances.

We agreed that when Believers are in distress so overwhelming that our “hands hang limp,” when we are too weakened by sorrows to initiate a defense of our own, this Scripture is a good place to camp out and draw comfort and strength.

   

We know that GOD is the one positive constant in life. Because immutability is one of His attributes, GOD cannot change; we can trust what He tells us in Zephaniah 3 and allow His WORD to give us peace and restore our strength.

For as long as our situation remains, as well as to encourage others, we can be sure of the facts summarized in this Scripture passage, and also explore dozens more that support them just as well:

GOD is happy in our company and watches over every aspect of our existence with care.

We are created in GOD’s own image (Genesis 1:31) and He takes great delight in making sure that we are cared for, have an abundant life and prosper since He is magnified when we do (Psalm 35:27.)

• GOD never leaves us or forsakes us but walks with us through our valleys; He knows where we are every moment – His eyes follow us everywhere; if we quiet our spirits we will know His presence. Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 23; 2 Chronicles 16:9.
• GOD knows even the number of hairs on our heads, nothing is lost to us and He is not aware of it. He draws even nearer when we are brokenhearted and weeps with us and encamps His angels about us. Luke 12:7; Psalm 34.
• GOD enables us to rest at night and lifts up our hung down heads. Psalm 3.

GOD is the Mighty Warrior who wages war on our behalf and teaches us how to be victorious.

As children of GOD we are precious to our Father who makes us strong when we need strength and protects from harm (2 Thessalonians 3:3.)

• GOD will teach us how to fight Psalm 144; and will do battle for us. He is Johavah-nissi our victory. Exodus 17.
• Nothing is too hard for GOD Jeremiah 32:27; Luke 18:27; He is our Fortress, our Shield, our Refuge, our Deliverer, and our Salvation Psalm 18; 
• All Power belong to GOD Psalm 62.

GOD loves us perfectly.

We can take great comfort in the fact that GOD loves each of us as if there is but one of us and He never judges arbitrarily (Psalm 86:15.)

• We are precious to GOD and honored; He gave His SON for us. Isaiah 43:4; John 3:16.
• GOD does not take pleasure in our destruction Ezekiel 18:23; 31-32.
• GOD’s love is steadfast and forever. Psalm 136:26.
• God so loved us that he gave his only Son for us, while we were still His worst enemy. John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-6. 

Child of GOD, we need never feel discouraged or afraid for long if we make these facts our focus instead of our fears.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD, Mighty and Everlasting Father. Thank you for being always near to us, especially in times of greatest need; thank you for being our glory and the one who lifts up our heads! Thank you for reminding us how loved and how unique we are among other creations – that YOU created us in YOUR own image and watch over every moment of our lives with delight. Thank you for being our Johavah-nissi who holds up a standard over us so the enemy knows YOU have already won the battles for us. Thank you for our goodness, peace and joy which YOU give to us through JESUS, who is the embodiment of YOUR enduring love for us. Thank YOU ABBA for all that YOU are and do…to you we give all glory, all honor, all dominion and power for ever and ever, and we pray all in JESUS’ NAME.

Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile