God Is On Your Side

God Is on Your Side

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

Public speaking is a skill I’ve had to develop over the years. Since I’m an introvert by nature, getting up in front of others was terrifying at first. At the same time, I’ve also had a desire to share God’s Word with others, and so when opportunities arose to speak, I’d take them, despite my fears. I wanted to do a good job, one that would make God proud.

A few years ago, as I was once again preparing a message, I prayed that God would be pleased with my words and that I wouldn’t mess up badly enough to embarrass him. Immediately I was flooded by an overwhelming feeling of love and a sense that he was already proud of me just for trying. Since then I have thought more about this idea that I need to do well for God to be pleased with me. Although I grew up being told that God’s love is unconditional, for some reason I still felt I needed to perform perfectly to prove myself to him.

Do you know what I’ve since discovered? This is simply not true. God is not testing me as I take steps of faith to honor what I believe he’s asked me to do. God is more like a proud father who delights in me because he loves me, whether I do really well or fall flat on my face. He rejoices over me with a love that never changes.

Have you wondered if you measure up to the task God is asking of you? Scripture tells us that God takes delight in us with gladness, that he calms our fears and rejoices over us with joyful songs. This sounds to me like he’s a God who is pleased with us just as we are. Rest in the truth of his great love and kindness toward you today.

—Kendra

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Take time to thank God for all he has done and ask him to give you courage to continue to pursue the plans he has for you. Remember that he sees you through eyes of kindness.