Nuggets in the Old Testament

...let not your hands grow weak.

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 [rejoice] over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:16b-17

Who would guess that one of the most beautiful and encouraging passages of scripture lies nestled in the Old Testament book of Zephaniah? God loves His children!  In the passage, the prophet Zephaniah calmed the nation Israel with the fact that they belonged to God and He would not abandon them.  They had a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), they would remain under His loving watch throughout all their days.  Zephaniah paints a tender picture, a joyous illustration for all believers of how much God loves His own.  We can claim that same love today.  If we are His, He remains in our midst; He will save and carry us.  Much like rocking a baby and singing over them, the Lord holds us, delights in us, and will burst forth in song declaring His great love.  When the tempests in our lives rage, His song will quiet us in the night.  Therefore, don't grow weary, don't give up, don't weaken in your resolve to serve the Lord no matter what.  

I did this two-page spread to illustrate this joyous verse.  I hand drew the cup then stamped the flowers and leaves on paper, colored with Copic markers and fussy cut them.  Then I just layered them over the cup image.  I used watercolor paint and a brush to highlight the passage.  

Sweet 'n Sassy Sets Used: (Images are linked to the store so you can go right to them!)

 

Sing Loud is such a versatile set.  I've used the words from it again and again.  And I LOVE the Whimsy Bouquet set, another one by Rebecca Rios.