Joy over Thee
In the manual: Come, Follow Me lesson 49, “He Delighteth in Mercy,” on Gospel Library
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Most of Zephaniah’s book warns of the day of the Lord. Near the end, the Lord rejoices over his people with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).
Read Together
Zephaniah preached in Jerusalem in the days of King Josiah, before Babylon came (Zephaniah 1:1). He warned that “the day of the Lord is at hand” and told the people how to be ready (Zephaniah 1:7).
3Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.
17The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
What It Teaches
“Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth” (Zephaniah 2:3). The meek are teachable and gentle, and they let God lead. The proud in Zephaniah’s day told themselves that the Lord would do nothing at all, good or evil (Zephaniah 1:12).
Verse 14 calls the people to celebrate. “Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart.” Verse 17 gives the reason. The Lord is “in the midst of thee,” and “he will rejoice over thee with joy.”
The Lord promises to “save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out” (Zephaniah 3:19). To halt is to limp. He gathers the ones who struggle to keep up and the ones who were pushed away.
When the risen Savior visited the Nephites, he prayed for them, blessed their children one by one, and said that his joy was full (3 Nephi 17:20–21). The Savior rejoices over the people he saves.
Talk About It
Zephaniah says the Lord rejoices over his people with singing. How does it feel to know the Lord is glad about you? What can we do today to share that joy?
Take to Church
Zephaniah ends with the Lord in the midst of his people, rejoicing over them with singing. The Savior finds joy in each person who comes to him.