At Calvary Baptist Church, (where I attended as early as a baby in the nursery), we were blessed by many powerful sermons from pastors and missionaries. One Sunday, Ben Bertell spoke on this passage and promptly sang a song straight from the scripture (v. 17). His deep bass voice resonated joyfully as the teenagers (including myself), self- consciously smiled at each other but willingly sang along. His parents attended our church and when I was just 7 or 8 years old, they made a wooden cradle with a doll plus a handmade mattress, clothing and blankets to present to me. It was totally unexpected and secretly loved. All of us who were brought up to love God in that church had joy because it was the safety of this small community that gave us courage to spread our wings later into the world at large. Reading this passage again today reminded me of that beautiful Sunday. – Teresa #loudjoyfulsinging #Hislove

Zephaniah 1:14-17 (ESV)

Israel’s Joy and Restoration

14 

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;

    shout, O Israel!

Rejoice and exult with all your heart,

    O daughter of Jerusalem!

15 

The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;

    he has cleared away your enemies.

The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;

    you shall never again fear evil.

16 

On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:

“Fear not, O Zion;

    let not your hands grow weak.

17 

The Lord your God is in your midst,

    a mighty one who will save;

he will rejoice over you with gladness;

    he will quiet you by his love;

he will exult over you with loud singing.