Hello, Siestas! My name is Diane Vaccaro, and I live in Fresno, CA. I’m a pastor’s wife and a mom of 3. I’m honored to share my verse today in a more formal way than usual. Often in our family we talk about how reflecting on scripture is paramount for transforming our hearts. God’s living Word can do more than we could ever imagine if we only give it time to seep into our thoughts and heart for a moment or two… or ten. It’s in those moments of reflection that I’m open and available to consider how the verse applies to my own life and heart. A quick read often leaves me with a short memory of what I’ve read, and a missed opportunity for revelation of who God is and how he loves. Memorization isn’t the goal, but a tool to continue to mediate on the Word, wherever I am, and ponder it, repeating it in my mind and mouth so that it becomes part of me.
Here’s my verse:
Diane – Fresno, CA
“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.” Zephaniah 3:17
What I love about this verse is that it brings together God’s attributes as a mighty warrior and as one who delights, even to the point of singing over me. Strength and tenderness. He is a God that can take on my enemies without neglecting the tender and vulnerable places of my heart. And I’ve got an enemy…I don’t know about human ones, but I’m confident that The Enemy is always on the hunt. It is part of being a believer. It’s part of my life in ministry.
As I reflect on this verse I wonder where I’m trying to be the warrior instead of letting God do the fighting. I wonder if I fight fights that aren’t mine, neglecting the ones God has put before me for victory if I’d only fight.
And I wonder if I’ve become so distracted that I miss the singing. Has God been singing over me a melody so sweet while I’ve been straining to hear the world’s approval? I really want to hear the song of God. The world’s song pales in comparison.
One day I was alone in my car and not listening to music (both are seldom). I was praying and pleading and at one point simply asked God, “Do you delight in me?” This verse was pulled from somewhere in my memory as if to say, “Yes, I delight in you. You bring me great joy. I’m singing over you.”
Mighty God, my prayer is that you would set my feet in the direction of my battles, that I would fight with courage and bravery, knowing that you will supply all I need. Show me when I try to fight battles meant for you. I want to duck when your sword comes crashing through, bowing to your will and power. Quiet my heart and soul that I would hear you – hear your direction and your joyful singing over me. I want your song to be the soundtrack of my days.
My prayer is that you, Siesta, will experience the Mighty Warrior and the songs of delight that he sings over you today.
Dottie Morrow, Mansfield, TX
“The Lord your God in your midst, the mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV
Selina
Barbourville, KY
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 KJV
Terri, Harrison township, MI
may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV
Sascha Martinez
Red Oak Tx
Two consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3 niv
Sarah Winslow Durant, OK
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Michelle, Fort Collins CO
For I know that my Redeemer lives!
Job 19:25 NRSV
Terri
Stonewall,LA
Numbers 6:24 NIV
The LORD bless you and keep you;
Mary Ruth Franklin
Lanexa, VA
2 Peter 1: 7-8
7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(NASB)
Kelly Sonderby San Clemente, CA
If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it.
Luke 17:33 NLT
Kelsey Richert Waverly Iowa
When anxiety was great within me you consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94: 19 NIV
Cedarville, OH
“And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph 5:2 ESV
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 2 Peter 1:3
Barbara Bollman, West Fargo, ND
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Tim 1.7
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” Romans 8:18 NIV
Shaci-Aztec, NM
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:56 NIV)
Sheila, Williston, ND:
“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Colossians 3:16 (NASB)
Becky, Roswell, GA
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”
Proverbs 3:7, ESV
Anne Eppright, Round Rock Texas
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though it’s waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at it’s swelling. Psalm 46:1-3 esv
Angie, Markham Ontario
I will go before you and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.
I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel who
summoned you by name.
Isaiah 45:2-3 NIV
For April 1 and 15 🙂
Alison Sparre, Sacramento, CA
So even to old age and gray hairs,
O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation,
your power to all those to come.
Psalm 71:18 ESV
Carol Bruntlett
Albuquerque NM
Psalm 91:4 NIV
He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart .
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17
A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Proverbs 21:2
“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” Psalm 119:35 (NIV)
Ephesians 6:17 NIV
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Cassie Oring, Murfreesboro, TN. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a NIV
Liza Melson – Trimont MN – So be truly glad! There is joy ahead, even though the going is rough for awhile down here….You love Him even though you have never seen Him; though not seeing Him, you trust Him; and even now you are happy with the inexpressible joy that comes from heaven itself. 1 Peter 1:6, 8 TLB
worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2
Matthew 11:29 NIV “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Debbie Salmonson, Reno, Nevada
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 NASB
Angela from Aurora, Nebraska – “But when you give to the needy, do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing, so that your giving may be done in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” Matthew 6:3-4 NIV84
Kim Cook – Valley, AL
Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the LORD. (Haggai 1:8 NLT)
Angie G
Albertville AL
Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, Col 3:9 NASB
Amy Cobb, Murfreesboro, TN. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a NIV
LaMonique’ J. Katy, TX “In the day when I cried out you answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3 NKJV
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NIV
Franklin, TN
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT
Theresa Dau, Chesterfield, MO
Yours, O Lord is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
1 Chronicles 29:11
Ashlrey Alexandria, La. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” (Isaiah 40:28 NIV)
Christa Lanier, Murfreesboro, TN. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a NIV
Darlene Selinger, Grapevine,Texas – Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge. Proverbs 14:26 (NIV)
Jo Ellen Chance, Shawnee, KS
If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
John 14:14 (ESV)
Teri Wymore in Millington, TN
1 Peter 5:9 NIV
(continuing on from last memory verse 7- 1 Peter 5:7-8)
Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Thank you, Diane, your sharing was lovely. I painted an art parable about this very scripture. I hope it blesses others the way your posting blessed me. The painting is called The Dance of Trust.
http://visionsofhisword.blogspot.com/2012/12/dance-of-trust.html?m=1
Debbie
Elsie – Scottsbluff NE
Psalm 93:1 ESV
The Lord reigns; He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; He has put on strength as His belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
La Plata, MD
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you” Matthew 7:7 KJV
The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. (Psalms 103:8 NLT)
Rhonda Jackson, Godfrey, Illinois
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11 – KJV
Becky Houston TX
“For someday the people will follow me,I, the Lord, will roar like a lion, and when I roar, my people will return trembling from the west. Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt. Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria.
And I will bring them home again, says the Lord.” Hosea 11:10-11 NLT