Have you ever found yourself in that place of wondering where God is in all of this? It is easy to remember that God loves us and delights in us when all is well with our world, but when our days are filled with emotional or physical pain, our thoughts often go elsewhere.
Several weeks ago, our pastor made a statement that has served as a wake-up call to me: ”I need to acknowledge that God occupies the space between us and let God speak to me. I need to attend to the presence of God….” As I thought about that statement, God brought the above verse to my mind.
God is in fact in the midst of us! Not only is He right here — with me, all around me — but he ‘takes great delight in’ me, or as it says in the New International Version, “He will rejoice over you with singing” (vs 17b). God is delighting in me right at this moment, regardless of the circumstances I find myself in. He has promised to “renew me with his love.”
He is rejoicing over me, so what is my response to that? I need to remember that I am not alone. God hasn’t moved so I just need to be still, seek His presence, and listen for His voice. What is it that he wants to do in my life today? What is your response when you read this verse. Does knowing that God rejoices over you and renews you with His love give you a new perspective of Him moving in your life?
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that not only are you right here in the midst of my life, but I need to attend to your presence. I need to listen to what it is that you want to do in my life, even in this place that I would not have chosen for myself. Thank you that you in fact rejoice over me with singing and I can rest in your love. Amen.
Go Deeper — What is it that causes you to doubt that God does in fact delight over you? How can you seek His presence in your life today?
Read further — Trusting God through the Seasons of Life.
Photo Credit: Rob Bye