Monthly Archives: October 2014

Starting and Finishing Your Day Better

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“It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening” (Psalm 92:2)

What if I did that?

I think there is more than just poetic rhythm here. Often I’ve read a phrase like this and wondered, “what if I did that?” I don’t mean just give thanks or sing praise (v. 1), I mean literally, actually proclaiming (stating, celebrating, meditating upon) His unfailing love in the morning (like, when I first get up and as I go about the early moments of my day) and actually proclaiming (stating, celebrating, reflecting upon) His faithfulness in the evening (before I initiate the days-end rituals, and as I lie staring at the dark ceiling before sleep takes me). What if I did that?

What if my mornings were greeted by grateful and praise-filled thoughts and words of God’s unfailing love? I can’t think of a better way to begin a day. Consider the bright hope that would be painted across the canvas of my imagination. Think of the peace that would join the start of each day’s journey. Imagine the confidence, the anticipation of good, and the readiness to rejoice. And, I wonder how much more I might be quick to lavish love on others. What if I did that?

And then, what if my evenings were tucked-in with grateful and praise-filled thoughts and words of God’s faithfulness? I could savor the goodness of God. I could view the day’s events through the lens of God’s faithfulness, and fuel the faith for the day to come with the burning coals of gratitude from today. Imagine the peace that would accompany my rest. Consider the potential of displacing of regret, resentment, and discontent with gladness, gratitude, and trust. And imagine what hope will greet my morning. What if I did that?

What if you did?

Thanks for reading,

‘Dav

Whosoever Has the Most Joy Wins

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A merry heart has a continual feast.

I am fan of joy. I have mentioned joy a couple of times, here and there, on this blog. I readily admit that joy is one my favorite themes. I have also found that it is one of the most helpful disciplines in living-out-my-faith. There are a host of solid reasons that scripture invites, implores and enjoins us time and again to rejoice in the Lord – always. And Proverbs 15:15 provides a second-to-none good reason: “a merry heart has a continual feast”. Today’s paraphrase thereof: Whosoever has the most joy, wins.

Joy is the Finish Line

I think that it is reasonable to say that, both in terms of short and long term goals, people want joy. We were made for it. A great deal of the things we do and accumulate are means to enlarge or secure our joy. Trouble is, a great many of those things fall short. Or, in order to sustain the “joy” they give us – we need more or better or new means to joy. However, if I am able to decide to derive joy from and in The Lord – His presence, His promise, His faithfulness, His truth, etc. – then I have a direct, immediate source and reason for joy. I can literally feast on joy now, and not wait until circumstances, people, conditions or assets change. I win!

Joy is Winning

Furthermore, joy precludes and displaces the junk that keeps me from winning. There are a host of loser-attitudes that joy squeezes out of the room like light does shadow. I cannot rejoice and complain at the same time. I cannot rejoice and be bitter. I can’t rejoice and blame others. I can’t rejoice and criticize others. I can’t rejoice and be negative. I can’t rejoice and be greedy. I can’t rejoice and be afraid. I can’t rejoice and be bored. I can’t rejoice and be impatient. I can’t rejoice and lust. I can’t rejoice and lose my temper. I can’t rejoice and despair. I can’t rejoice and give up. But I can rejoice and be grateful, hopeful, patient, positive, kind, gentle, faithful, grateful, optimistic, bold, fearless, encouraging, generous, grateful, content, forgiving, innocent and grateful. With joy I can persevere. With joy I can stand. With joy I can hope. With joy I can rise. With joy I am strong. Really, really strong. I win!

So, no need to wait until the Holiday Season to start feasting. Dig in! The merry heart has a continual feast. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say it – rejoice.

Be a winner. Rejoice.

Thanks for reading,

‘Dav