Tag: rejoice

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Show me a spiritual sourpuss, and I’ll show you a person who lives without daily gratitude toward God and others.  But show me a gracious person who liberally gives thanks, and I will show you a person profoundly in touch with God’s steadfast love.
 
            The psalmist chose to give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!  I wonder how much different each day would be if we began it with the psalmist’s great call to worship:  “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 
 
            There is a misguided notion that only certain people have the attitude of gratitude; some folks are just naturally ornery, and some are just born happy.  But the truth is that gratitude and giving thanks is a practice that must be carefully cultivated.  As it grows and develops, gratitude bears the fruit of joy.  Yes, thankfulness is a daily decision of faith that we need to make in order to have the kind of attitude that pleases God and blesses others.
            Loving God, this is the day you have made; I rejoice in it, and am glad that your steadfast love covers all things.  Help me to connect every good thing with your gracious hand upon me so that I will not look and act like I was baptized in pickle juice.  To the glory of Jesus Christ, I pray.  Amen.

Habakkuk 3:13-19

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Tucked away in the Old Testament is the little prophecy of Habakkuk.  Yet it packs a punch of a message.  The prophet, Habakkuk, was distressed over the corruption of his people, Israel.  So, he complained to God about it.  God responded by informing Habakkuk that judgment was coming to sinful Israel through the pagan Babylonians.  This was not what Habakkuk expected.  The prophet grumbled even more about the fact that the Babylonians were much more evil than the Israelites.  The Babylonians needed judgment, too!  The rest of this little book then unpacks Habakkuk’s struggle to come to terms with what God was doing.
 
            The conclusion that Habakkuk finally came to was this:  “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield not food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”  Even though the circumstances were bad, even dire, yet the prophet chose to rejoice in the Lord.
 
            One of the most significant faith experiences we can ever have is to come to the point of complete trust in God so that our happiness is not dependent upon good circumstances.  The truth is that the Christian’s joy and spiritual security is independent of what is going on around us.  Even though situations might be difficult and even evil, believers can still rejoice because we do not need everything to go our way in order to experience happiness.
 
            Joy is neither cheap, nor easy.  Total trust in God can only really come through a serious and open engagement, even argument, with God.  The place of contentment comes from a consistent, persevering, and constant interaction with God in his Word and through prayer – just like Habakkuk.
            Gracious God, bring me to the point of joy despite my circumstances so that my soul is not divided and unable to praise you.  May I delight in Jesus every day through the fellowship of the Spirit.  Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year ALeave a comment
            The Apostle Paul came to the conclusion of his letter to a discouraged congregation at Thessalonica and, like a parent barking final instructions to the kids as they go out the door, gave them a series of short exhortations so they would be careful to keep their minds on living their Christian lives with focus and intention.
 
            Paul succinctly made it quite clear what the will of God is for the church.  Rather than sitting idle and waiting for Christ to return, believers are to be busy doing good to one another, encouraging each other, and listening well to their spiritual leaders.  As for our relationship with God we are to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  If we were to simply focus on those three short commands of Scripture it would completely alter the spiritual landscape of our lives and our churches.
 
            Historically, believers throughout the ages have obeyed these commands by keeping the Daily Office of pausing at set times during the day to offer thanksgiving and prayer.  Falling to our knees when arising from bed; break times at work; a few minutes at lunch; family devotions at supper; and, prayer with a spouse before retiring at night are all potential opportunities to build a rich inner life of spirituality to our souls and fortify us to have a joyous relationship with Jesus that lasts a lifetime.  If actually scheduling these times in our calendars and planners will help us to remember and do it, then let us be about the business of having appointments with God without procrastination.
            Lord God Almighty, thank you for the privilege of prayer and the perspective of giving thanks in each situation I am faced with every day.  Help me to effectively and joyously connect with you today so that your will is done in my life, just as your will is always done in heaven.  Through Jesus my Lord, Amen.