Welcome to Our Daily Bread. I'm Sheridan Voizzi, and I've titled today's devotional Sing Again.

Australia's regent honey eater bird is in trouble. It's losing its song.

Though once an abundant species, just 300 birds now remain,

and with so few others to learn from, the males are forgetting their unique song and failing

to attract mates. Thankfully, conservationists plan to rescue the honey eaters by singing to them,

or, more precisely, play them recordings of other honey eaters by singing to them, or, more precisely, play them recordings

of other honey eaters singing so they can relearn their heart song. As the males pick up the

tune and attract females again, it's hoped the species will flourish once more. The prophet

Zephaniah addressed a people in trouble.

With so much corruption among them, he announced that God's judgment was coming.

When this later came to pass through capture and exile, the people too lost their song.

But Zephaniah foresaw a time beyond judgment when God would come to this decimated people, forgive their

sins and sing to them. Zefaniah 317 reads, He will take great delight in you. In his love, he will

no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. As a result, the heart song of the people would be restored.

Whether through our own disobedience or the trials of life, we too can lose our heart song of joy.

But a voice is singing over us, songs of forgiveness and love. Let's listen to his melody and sing

along.

Music love. Let's listen to his melody and sing along. Today's scripture reading is from Zefaniah chapter 3 verses 14 to 20.

Sing, daughter Zion, shout aloud Israel, be glad and rejoice with all your heart,

daughter Jerusalem.

The Lord has taken away your punishment. He has turned back your enemy.

The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you. Never again will you fear any harm.

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