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. ZEPHANIAH 3:17 ESV 

My daughter was the kind of baby who wanted Dad for all things fun until she felt sick or hurt herself. Did I wish she also wanted to spend time with me when she  wanted to delight in a fun toy or sunshine outside? Absolutely. As she’s gotten older, she’s learned to see me as someone to go to for fun and good moments, and I’m grateful for that! But initially, it was hard to be wanted solely for what felt like caretaking moments. It also made me curious if I see God that way. 

When I look back at the most challenging moments in my life, I see that is when my prayer life is booming, worship music is on repeat, and Scripture is at the tip of my tongue. But in days of ease, my Bible can get a little dusty. To grow in any deep relationship, you spend time with that person in both the good and the difficult moments. Think about your best friend or your spouse. Do you only talk to them when things are hard? No! You rejoice together, and you mourn together. God is no different. When my child is joyful, I run to receive her joy and multiply it. When my child is in pain, I run to hold her in my arms and comfort her. And I am an imperfect person. God is perfect. He rejoices over us (Zephaniah 3:17), and He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). We serve a mighty God who doesn’t want our primary source of joy and comfort to be through things of this world. He desires us to find it in Him! So run to Him today, whether for rejoicing or mourning; run to your good Father! He has joy because He is joy. He has hope because He is hope. 

Dear Lord, You are the God who weeps with us and sings over us in delight. Please help me remember that today and all my days as I encounter more challenges and joys. You are worthy of my attention in it all! Amen. 

REFLECT: Do you find yourself running to God more in the valley surrounded by challenges or on the mountaintop when life is going well? Why is that? 

This is an excerpt from Living Open-Handed: Devotions for Surrendering Control and Finding Joy in the Unexpected by Shruthi Parker – a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.