Preparing for Easter: The One Who is Mighty To Save
BY BRYAN LARAMORE
We all have a favorite song…or many…that we light up upon hearing. One of those for me personally is, “Mighty to Save.” The song stems from the mouth of an Old Testament prophet, Zephaniah. He proclaimed, “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” (Zeph 3:17).
Did you catch it? God rejoices over YOU! When a person receives God’s love, grace, and mercy through Jesus Christ, God rejoices in great exclamation! Believers are comfortable with the idea of rejoicing over God, exulting His greatness, singing praises to Him. Are we, though, used to thinking about the reverse? God rejoices over you with gladness, He exults over you with loud singing! When we lift our heart, mind, and soul in worship through songs of praise, God as well sings hymns of praise over our departure from death and arrival into life! What a concept!
God is the author of salvation, the giver of life, and the only one who can offer redemption. When a person turns and realizes their sinful ways, he or she often fears for their life . . . and frankly we should fear, for we stand unholy before a Holy God. Yet, it doesn’t end with that reality. God sent Christ to “conquer the grave” in order that the heart of a person, even down to the very soul, may be forever changed.
When this gift of faith is granted (Eph 2:8-9), God does something special. God rejoices! Hear it, believe it, experience it. He sings a hymn of praise unknown to the ears of humankind, more glorious than ever heard before, greater than will ever be heard, He declares in song in His own glorious harmony:
“Everyone needs compassion, love that’s never failing, let mercy fall on THEM. Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a savior, the hope of nations . . .”
As we prepare for Easter 2021, take hope, be encouraged, God Almighty stands ready to save. When He does save, He rejoices loudly!