Zephaniah 3:16-17 Amplified Version

In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear not, O Zion. Let not your hands sink down or be slow and listless. The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.

The prophet Zephaniah brings a message of hope for the remnant of Israel who will turn to the Lord. The repentant ones are told to not hang down their hands or be listless – the condition of one who is ashamed and sad. He said the Lord is in your midst – the mighty Savior. What He says next is an illustration of how great God’s love is. He said God will rejoice over them and make no mention of, nor recall their past sins. Instead He will be jubilant over them with singing. Despite the fact that they had sinned against God, once they repented He would not be interested in the past but rather happy and excited about their return to Him. Instead of rehearsing their sins He would sing for joy over their renewed fellowship with Him. God’s love causes Him to forget the sins we repented of and be happy with us as if we never did anything wrong. How amazing!

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