We have a sandbox at school. My students like to make sand pies, dig to the bottom of the box, make tracks, build sandcastles. Everyday is a completely new adventure when it comes to the sandbox. 

The other day, I sat down by a tiny human (about three years old) who decided to build a sandcastle. He chose the perfect pail and perfect shovel. Then he sat down to begin his work. He meticulously shoveled sand into the pail until it was full. After a few tugs on the pail, he managed to turn it over into the sandbox to dump the sand out. As he pulled the pail up, I watched the sand topple down in a messy heap. I took a breath, prepared to reassure him that we could try again together. But he looked at me with the proudest smile you’ve ever seen, and giggled. 

What I saw as a messy heap of sand, he saw as a sandcastle worth celebrating. 

I wonder how many times that happens in our own lives.

You get into your dream college...but your mom just wants you to choose something closer to home.

You turn in an essay that you spent hours perfecting...and your teacher finds every possible flaw and gives you a C+. 

You write a poem that stirs into the deepest parts of your heart...but your friends aren’t really into poetry and can’t appreciate your vulnerability. 

You run your fastest mile to date after working so hard to just run in the first place...but your brother brags about how fast he ran a mile last week. 

You get an amazing new job...and all your dad can do is ask you how much it pays and whether or not you get benefits.

For all of those moments that your friends and family have failed to meet you in your joy and your celebration, God has been right there beside you. And he’s been celebrating. 

The book of Zephaniah tells the story of the nation of Judah as seen through the prophecy of Zephaniah. As a prophet, he stood in the face of darkness to proclaim God’s judgement...and hope. In chapter 3, he specifically targets the city of Jerusalem and calls it “the city of oppressors, rebellious and defiled” (vs. 1). He cites her flaws and her rebellion against the Lord, her resistance to repentance (vs 2 - 8)...and prophecies that the wrath of God will fall on her...but there’s a catch. 

On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, Because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters.
Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill. 
But I will leave within you the meek and humble.
The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord. 
They will do no wrong; they will tell no lies.
A deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths.
They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid. 
(vs. 11-13)

The destruction and the judgement isn’t for everyone. There is a “remnant of Israel” that has clung to the word of God and believes in his judgement and hope. So...there’s more…

Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy.
The Lord, the King of Israel is with you; never again will you fear any harm.
On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.”
(vs 14-16)

And this is where it gets exciting…

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves you. 
He will take great delight in you; 
in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
(vs 17)

Did you catch that? The Lord promises that he will rejoice over his people with singing. We’re not exactly the holy remnant, holding out in the city of Jerusalem. But I believe that the promise for those people at that time is a promise that holds true for us. 

The Lord desires to rejoice over us with singing. He finds joy in who we are and what we do...from clipping our toenails to getting into top-notch schools to teaching a kid how to say his ABCs to adopting a cat! The Lord will rejoice with us in our highs...and he will comfort us in our lows. The people in your life can celebrate with you and comfort you, that is for sure. And often God places people in our lives just for those purposes. But when you feel like no one else is meeting you in your joy, know that the Lord is there.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Elizabeth spent the past six years doing life in Nashville, TN…from grad school to working in a pie shop to running after school programs. But then she got a little antsy. She’s currently in a season of “wandering”…exploring the people, tastes and experiences that the country has to offer. As she set out on this journey her hope was to engage with people in more authentic ways and to hike everything possible.