God's Rejoicing???

I'm going to give this new blog a whirl...

When I woke up yesterday morning, this is the scripture that was in my heart, and periodically throughout the day I would meditate on it:

The Lord your God in the midst of you is mighty; He will save; He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest in his love; He will joy over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

When I look around there is so much for God to be displeased with - and I'm not talking about with people who do not know God. No, there is still mercy for the lost and dying world. I'm talking about His very own people who call themselves by the name of Christ yet forsake Him by rejecting His Holy Spirit and all that was won for those who would call on His name at the cross according to Mark 16:15-18.

Even myself. I find myself caught up in the cares of this life hesitant to lose my life that I might find it in Him. God's mercies are so great it's easy to be in denial about the severity of the words which Jesus spoke - which will, by the way, judge us in the last day. Where can one look to find a hungry soul who longs to see the power of God and the manifestation of the Son of God in the midst of His people as in the day of Pentecost? Oh no. These are civilized times. There are bills to pay, and shoes to buy, and a commute to make in the morning where I'll build another man's kingdom. I see soooo many similarities between modern-day Christians and the ancient Israeli children in the mud pits making bricks without straw or Sampson with his eyes plucked out grinding meal for the Philistines in this way we've been living out this so-called modern-day Christianity...

In John 14:12 it is clear enough that God already purposed in His heart that those who believe in His Son, these will do the works that Jesus did while still in the earth and greater works than the works He did because Jesus was going to the Father, to sit at His right hand in heaven after His death, burial, and resurrection from death.

Where are these greater works? For that matter, where are the works? When is the last time anyone heard of a citizen of the U.S. who was born blind receiving their sight as a result of being touched by supernatural power from on high in the name of Jesus Christ? Oh, occasionally, someone gets a token cancerous tumor disappearing or pulls through heart surgery by the grace and mercy of God. But where are the limbs growing back which were lost in wars and accidents as in Jesus' days on the earth? Where are the restored withered hands? Where are the widows' sons being raised up from out of their coffins to be given back alive to their mothers? Perhaps in 3rd world countries where there are no other options but to believe God, believe the Word of the Lord?

In case one cannot tell, I am highly dissatisfied with the way things are. I was vehemently against anything and anyone calling themselves Christian before I had an encounter with Christ for myself that changed me forever. Before that encounter, I thought the only thing that Christianity had to offer was either a bunch of mean people who serve a God who's mad at everybody or a gaggle of mamby-pamby girlie-man whiner-baby doo-doo heads! Now that I am counted among those who name the name of Christ, what am I to think when the evidence still points to my prior observations? And what am I to do when I find myself wallowing in very mire I loathed as an unbeliever?

The Psalmist and these words come to mind...

In the Lord put I my trust. How say you to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain."?

For, lo, the wicked bend their bow; they make ready their arrow upon the string that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?

The Lord is in His holy temple. The Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes behold; His eyelids try the children of men.

The Lord tries the righteous, but the wicked and he who loves violence His soul hates.

Upon the wicked He shall rain snares, fire, and brimstone, and a horrible tempest - this shall be the portion of their cup!

For the righteous Lord loves righteousness; His countenance does behold the upright. Psalm 11

I see this, and my soul can be at rest. I don't have to get worked up about anything. All I have to do is walk with God and trust Him. He will cause His light to shine upon the upright in heart, those who've set their hearts to walk with Him, to walk in His word excluding no part of His Word - no matter what the naysayers, and the gainsayers, and the opinion polls say.

I will trust in You, Lord. I will give myself to You with my whole heart.