Feb 14 - Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is in your midst ...

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will renew you in His love

as on a day of festival.

Zephaniah 3:17

Do you ever remember being Charlie Brown? It's Valentines Day. Did your heart ever yearn for some form of acknowledgement from "that someone special." My mailbox was empty on many a Valentines day.

Lonliness is at epidemic levels in our culture. We move away from family and roots. People isolate themselves in individual technologies. Connections are more superficial over phone lines and computer screens. One of humanity's greatest needs is belonging, and we are increasingly alone.

God has an answer for lonliness. "The Lord your God is in your midst."

Imagine the shepherds in the fields. Sheep were hardly company. The nights were long and lonely ... unless you remembered that "the Lord your God is in your midst."

When we're feeling isolated and discouraged, we need to remember that "[God] rejoice[s] over [us] with gladness."

When we're feeling alone and unappreciated, we need to remind ourselves to celebrate a little "as on a day of festival." Why? Because "[God] will renew you in His love" everyday.

In Christ's Love,

Snoopy

(as opposed to Charlie Brown,

if I'm fed, I know I'm loved.)