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.
Alicia Thompson, Davao City, Philippines
Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.
Jude 1:24 NLT
Laura K, Spearfish, SD
Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV
Tuscaloosa, AL
Matthew 17:20 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” NLT
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
Sherry Campbell, Nowata, OK. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23 NIT
Courtney Spring,TX
“If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came.”
Psalm 119:92 MSG
Crista, Forest, VA
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
John 6:5-6 NIV
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.
Diane from Fresno inspired me to memorize this verse. I loved her being in the car and remembering this verse and feeling the singing of God. Thanks Diane
Turkessshia Moore, Greensboro, NC
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philipians 4:19 KJV
Kathryn Wolff from Pawnee, TX:
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 ESV
Candice from Houston – “Delight yourself in The Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
Wait on the Lord, be of goid courage. And He shall strengthen your heart.
Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Eileen ~Pittsburgh PA
Wait on the Lord, be of good courage. And He shall strengthen your heart.
Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Eileen ~Pittsburgh PA
Codie Chevalier, Loudon, NH
“So then, brothers, sand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Mona Boyd, Spokane, Washington
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Hebrews 13:5 KJV
Margie Rodriguez, San Angelo, Texas
Lamentations 3:22 NIV
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
Liji Oommen, Columbus, OH
“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deut 6:4,5 (NIV)
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10 NIV)
Karen R Ford, Stilwell, OK ~ but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13 NKJV)
Monica Kuebler of Centreville, VA
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6 ESV
Jenni, Murray, KY
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3 ESV)
Jessy Perzel, Lakeville, MN “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Melissa Sangster, Simpsonville, KY
“You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.”
Psalm 139:5 NIV
Auneca from Donalsonville, GA
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13 NIV
Windsor, CO
The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace. Ps 29:11 NIV
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:2 (NIV)
Lisa Markley, Cary, NC: And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
Psalm 111:10 ESV. “The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.”
Tammy from Alexander, NC
“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in Me- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Phillipians 4:9 ESV
John 15:7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you,ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Beth B., Northridge, CA
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 NIV
Columbus, OH
“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God”
Romans 8:15-16
NASB
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:8 (NIV)
Shantha, Lincoln, RI
Jana, Quitaque, Tx.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
Stacey in Hanahan
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV
Stacy, Ruston, LA
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 NLT
Gwen of Doylestown, PA
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. (Galatians 5:25 NLT)
Lois Kinman
Lewisville, TX
15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:15-16 NIV
Sarah B
Bonaire, GA
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV
Judy Dreeszen, Clay Center, KS “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31. NLT
But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. (Psalm 59:16 ESV)
Romans 8:28 ESV: An we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Terri G, Corinth, TX
“We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation.”
Psalm 90:7, NIV
Cheryl M
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:7 -8 (NIV)
Hap 🙂 Madison, Heath, OH
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord: he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord
Miranda Oliver, Grand Lake, La
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. (Proverbs 4:23-24 NIV)
Jacquie Engbrecht, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
Shauna, Aurora, NE
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
John 14:15, ESV
Andrea Jones – Houston, TX
1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV
Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.