The LORD God is Mighty ~ put on courage, saints...

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty: He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy." -Zephaniah 3:17 [KJV]

A truly gracious heart is restless and unhappy, when it experiences distance from the Lord. Notions in the head may satisfy formal, dry professors; but those who are alive to God, cannot rest without enjoying His presence. They will draw nigh to Him, praying Him, “Draw nigh to my soul, and say, I am thy salvation.” That precious word lives and abides in our heart: Now, in Christ Jesus, we sinners, who, in times past, were far off from God, are made nigh by the blood of Christ (see Ephesians 2:13.) 

Hence, we are called upon, “Sing, shout, be glad, rejoice with all the heart.” Yea, thou God-fearing, soul-trembling sinner! even thou, the Lord has in His eye, and speaks from the love of his heart, “Fear thou not, let not thine hands be slack” (Zephaniah 3:14-16.) Dread not thy mighty, thy many enemies. Put on courage. Lift up the hands which hang down. Take hold of thy Lord’s word. 

For, (1st.) “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty.” The might of the Lord his God, animated the heart of young David, when he went to fight the Philistine giant. Hence, you hear not one word of himself, of his own might and power, etc.; but, the Lord has done this and that—and the Lord will deliver now—I come forth in the name of the Lord. So St. Paul, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me” (Philippians 14:13.) 

Now, here is the nature and work of faith. When Christ dwells in our hearts by faith, self-confidence is destroyed. Says the Soul, I am weak and helpless: I am not sufficient of myself to think any thing as of myself, but my sufficiency is of God (see II Corinthians 3:5.) This language is a proof, that the Lord is in the midst of that soul: he has proved that He is mighty in it, by “casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every high thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:5.) His mighty salvation is begun in that heart: it has no cause for dejection. 

For, (2d.) “He will save.” You believe the Lord’s power. He is able to save: you cannot doubt that; His Word declares it; His work proves His willingness. Exercise your faith upon HIS WILL TO SAVE YOU, both from all your fears and all your foes. Cast away all vain and foolish notions of terms and conditions of salvation. See it all cast upon the will of Jesus. 

For, (3d.) “He will rejoice over thee with joy.” It was His joy to bleed and die, in agony and torture for thee. It is His joy that thou comest and criest to Him, as a lost sinner, for salvation. He will rejoice in His work for thee, His grace in thee, and His salvation of thee. O! well mayest thou be called on, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4.)

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)