Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” 

Our dog has an attitude…a big attitude!  She is a tiny dog, a Maltese Shih Tzu, but she doesn’t let her size define her. Her breed is known as the “friendly toy,” because they are to be good-natured and tolerant. Patches must not have been notified, because she is neither of those things. She is temperamental, moody, and quick to let you know that she runs the house. 

As crabby as she is, I absolutely adore her.  And my adoration only annoys her. One of my favorite things to do is wait until she is in her “napping position” on the couch.  Just as she is dozing off, I crawl up to her and kiss her head.  Her eyes halfway open with a glare in my direction.  Her soft growl expresses her displeasure.  This only encourages me to do it again.  I give her more kisses and she gives louder growls.  I express my love and she expresses her annoyance.  A match made in heaven!

God expresses His love towards us…even when we are moody.  The scripture says “He will take great delight in you.” In Hebrew, that phrase means “He displays His joy.” He is not hiding His feelings for you.  God is a father who openly expresses His pleasure in you as His child. 

One of the great ways He displays His pleasure is in the promise to always be with you.  “The Lord your God is with you…” His presence abides with you…stays with you.  Even when you feel isolated and alone, Father God is there.  He has not left you.  

Deuteronomy 31:6
“…the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

Sometimes I can act like Patches.  I can be moody and annoyed with life…trying to shut everybody out.  But Father God is there, refusing to leave, and continuing to display His joy to me.  And it makes me love Him more!

As we pray today, thank God for His expression of joy.  Be grateful for His continual presence.  He delights in you…has great joy towards you.  What an incredible God we have!