“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
I had made a terrible mistake at the rehearsal. I became the laughing stock of the whole affair just because of my mouth. It was accidental but terribly embarrassing. You see, instead of referring to the bride’s veil at the time for her to be kissed I used the word train! Yes, I did. Awful – terrible, but I could not take it back. Everybody simply could not hold back their surprised hilarious laughter. So what did I do? I grinned and went on.
I was embarrassed and angry with myself. In fact, I was just plain disgusted with myself. I was young and just starting out in the ministry but this….! Why don’t I just quit now? If I can’t control what I say at a wedding rehearsal how can I fill the pulpit in front of a congregation?
That’s when I saw our scripture for today. An obscure Old Testament passage just jumped out at me. Yes, God did take great delight in me and chuckled at my mistake but with such love. He quieted my distraught spirit in His love and Presence.
Just before the actual wedding ceremony I spoke to the bride of my sorrowful remorse over the mistake and she said that I had made her so happy because she would always remember how I made her and everyone else realize that preachers are just people and they, too, make mistakes. You got that right I said. I’ll never forget that wedding rehearsal and I am sure those people tell the story over and over again.
I may remember it better than the bride and groom but, above all, I remember how God spoke to me lovingly, “I love you, son, and rejoice over you with great joy!” Glory!
And you know, I am sure He feels the same for you as you trust more and more in the salvation which Jesus won for you and as you walk hand in hand with Him leaning on His guidance!
Pastor Brunner is the founder and director of Jim Brunner Ministries
