18th March, 2026
A Fountain Publication
The Lodestar
Online Magazine for the Thinking Christian
Devotional
The Applause that Matters
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (Zeph 3:17).
By Paulson Pulikottil
As her brilliant dance ended, she took a bow, scanning the cheering crowd with pride. But her joy faded—her parents were nowhere to be seen. Heartbroken, she rushed backstage to cry, for she had danced for them, yet they were not there to applaud.
You have felt the sting of disappointment when those you love let you down. But there is One who never fails.
Zephaniah 3:14–17 paints a picture of God’s overwhelming joy over his people. He does not remain distant or indifferent when they seek, follow, rejoice in, and trust him (Zepheniah 3:12–16). Instead, he delights in them with gladness and exults over them with singing.
Like the father of the prodigal son who celebrated his child’s return (Luke 15:11–32), God rejoices when we turn to him and make him our highest joy. His applause is the only one that truly matters. Delight the Lord by trusting Him completely. Let your life be a song that makes heaven rejoice.
"What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the everlasting arms! What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the everlasting arms!" —Elisha A. Hoffman (1887)
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