Zephaniah 3:15 says “The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy…” and verse 17 goes on to remind us that God is with us, delighting us, loving us, and even singing about US. Tonight I had a long conversation with a friend who was feeling the guilt of sin and failure. In all of that he was frustrated the discrepancy between where he wanted to be spiritually and where he was in that moment. I’ve been there myself, but this scripture brings out a GREAT point about the Grace of God that applies in his situation as well.

This scripture is written to those who deserve punishment… to sinners, to people who have messed up. God addresses that very people and says that 1) HE’S the one who will save them and that 2) he’s delighting in the process. I reminded my friend that God wasn’t ‘shocked’ by what happened but was ready with grace and hope for him in spite of it. We forget that to qualify for being a Christian we by definition need to admit being sinners in need of a savior. Instead of wallowing in the guilt of our own sinfulness, why not reach up and embrace the Savior who will then turn back our enemies? He’s GOOD AT THIS! We have a Mighty Warrior ready to fight our battles great and small. The power to overcome IS IN HIM!

The song says “Shine your light and let the whole world see, we’re singing for the Glory of the risen King, Jesus!” We have a light to shine because of what God has done and continues to do for and in us. What an awesome privilege it is to be called to shine for our Mighty Savior!

[

[Image: originally included an image that is no longer available]

](http://www.linkwithin.com/)