rejoicing

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 (6:01 a.m.)

Blessed Father God,

I come to You rejoicing. The song that came immediately to mind upon awakening was a word spoken by a two year old yesterday. He pointed at the word spelled out on a card and remembered someone having read it to him before. “Rejoice!”

♫Rejoice! Rejoice! And again I say, “Rejoice!”♫ Your Word commands us to “Rejoice” and this morning in particular I take Your direction deeply, sincerely to heart.

Father God, sometimes rejoicing is harder than other. A thesaurus lists it as a verb meaning: “be joyful, be happy, be pleased, be glad, be delighted...” The antonym shown is 'mourn'. I can't help but think that much of America is mourning again this date in history.

How I ask You most blessed Father, teach us to rejoice in You always! Paul wrote to the Ephesians (5:20) and Thessalonians (1Th5:18) telling them to 'always give thanks for everything' and 'no matter what happens, always be thankful'. That can be an especially tall order, Dearest Dad.

It is the power and strength of You, Your Son and Your Holy Spirit which I turn Dearest God. Your Word reminds us whence our courage comes. The Life Recovery Bible tells us, in commenting on 1Peter 4:12-13, that “we should not only expect to experience trials, but we should rejoice in them.”

“Dear friends, don't be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. Instead, be really glad [rejoice!] - because these trials will make you partners with Christ in suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing His glory in that coming day when it will be displayed.”

Thank You for this reminder of being “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2Corinthians 6:10a). The Living Bible says it this way, “Our hearts ache, but at the same time we have the joy of the Lord.”

Blessed Father God, thank You for bringing me to You rejoicing this morning. Remind me of the joy we have in You throughout this day. Empower and enable me to share it with others freely and without hesitation. Thank You Father. I love You. Amen.

(377 words ~ 7:41 a.m.)