Grandmother Research

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. The reading for today titled Grandmother Research was written by Kenneth Peterson. The study showed that grandmothers have a higher empathy toward their own grandchild than even their own adult child. This is attributed to what they call the cute factor. Their own grandchild being more adorable than the adult.

Before we say, well, duh, we might consider the words of James Rilling who conducted the study. If their grandchild is smiling, the grandmother is feeling the child's joy. And if their grandchild is crying, they're feeling the child's pain and distress. The prophet Zephaniah paints an MRI image of God's feelings as he looks upon his people. In Zephaniah chapter 3, he writes, He will take great delight in you. In his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. Some translate this to say, You will make his heart full of joy, and he will sing loudly. Like an empathetic grandmother, God feels our pain.

In all their distress, he too was distressed, says Isaiah 63 verse 9. And he feels our joy, Psalm 149 4 says, The Lord takes delight in his people. When we feel discouraged, it's good to remember that God has real feelings for us. He's not a cold, far away God, but one who loves and delights in us. It's time to draw close to him, feel his smile, and listen to his singing.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Zephaniah chapter 3 verses 17 through 20. The Lord your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you.

In his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you. At that time, I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame. I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame. At that time, I will gather you.

At that time, I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunes before your very eyes, says the Lord. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us so dearly and so personally. When we feel discouraged and all alone, please help us to feel your love smiling down on us and to hear your song that you sing over us. Thank you, Lord. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. Thanks so much for listening today. My name is Wes Ward, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.