REJOICE: GOD IS IN OUR MIDST (THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT)

REJOICE: GOD IS IN OUR MIDST (Third Sunday of Advent) Scripture Readings: REFLECTION The heart of our reflection today is the command to “Rejoice: God is in our midst.” This God, who dwells among us, is none other than Jesus Christ—fully God and fully man, the perfect union of divine and human nature. Today, we…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Dec 5, 2025

3–5 minutes

bible, christianity, faith, god, jesus

REJOICE: GOD IS IN OUR MIDST (Third Sunday of Advent)

Scripture Readings:

Zephaniah 3:14-20
Philippians 4:4-7
Luke 3:7-18

REFLECTION

The heart of our reflection today is the command to “Rejoice: God is in our midst.”

This God, who dwells among us, is none other than Jesus Christ—fully God and fully man, the perfect union of divine and human nature. Today, we celebrate God’s saving presence, His immense love, and His joyful delight in His people. He promises us comfort, victory, and eternal hope. Truly, it is a profound joy to have Jesus as our Lord and Saviour.

Why, specifically, must we rejoice today? We find three compelling reasons in our scripture:

Restoration: He has the power to overcome our battles and restore our fortunes.
Peace: He listens to our anxieties and grants us a peace that surpasses understanding.
Salvation: He forgives our sins and grants us eternal life.

1. Rejoice in His Power to Restore

First, we must rejoice because Jesus, our Lord, holds the power to silence our enemies and restore us to wholeness. This was the Prophet Zephaniah’s promise to the Israelites: those faithful to God will witness His salvation.

“Behold, at that time I will deal with all your oppressors. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth… when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the LORD. (Zephaniah 3:19-20).

My dear friend, fear not. Have faith and rejoice, because the Lord is mightier than your oppressors, your haters, or the spiritual enemies that besiege you. It is His will to see you happy. Therefore, trust the Lord even in times of challenge. At His appointed time, your weeping shall turn to joy, and your loss shall turn to gain.

Remember the faithful of old—Abraham, Joseph, Hannah, David, and the woman with the issue of blood. They endured seasons of hardship; they were threatened and mocked. Yet, in the end, God dealt with their struggles and restored their fortunes.

May your faith be strengthened during this Advent season. Hold fast to His promise:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope… I will restore your fortunes…” (Jeremiah 29:11-14)

2. Rejoice in His Gift of Peace

Secondly, we must rejoice in the Lord because He hears our prayers and grants us His peace. Paul admonishes the Philippians with these beautiful words:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice… The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Advent is a season of hope and joy precisely because the Lord is at hand. You do not need to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Bring your anxieties to Him in prayer. His will for your life is being fulfilled, and His peace will sustain you until His return.

3. Rejoice in His Mercy

Thirdly, even for those of us who feel lost, we must rejoice because the Lord has the power to forgive. This was the message of John the Baptist as he prepared the way for Christ. While he warned of judgment for the unrepentant, he pointed to the One who brings true cleansing.

“I baptise you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming… He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16)

My dear friend, you cannot experience the fullness of joy if you are weighed down by sin. Repentance is not a punishment; it is a liberation. As we observe this holy season, I invite you to rededicate your life to Christ through genuine repentance. Clear the way for Him in your heart so that you may experience the true peace and joy of having Jesus as your Saviour.