Focus
Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.
Read
1 Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Reflect
I can remember a conversation from my childhood.
“God wants us to be happy”
“Does he?”
My friend and I had a debate for several minutes. That was probably the first time I really questioned the nature of God. I had always seen God as a benevolent figure. Good things came from God, among them, happiness. I couldn’t imagine a God who wasn’t related directly to my happiness. Was the alternative a God who was apathetic towards humanity? Someone who just wanted their will done, but didn’t celebrate once the work was done? I don’t think so.
God is in all things that are good. And God wants us to be happy. When we celebrate, God celebrates with us. When there is new life, when you help a neighbor, when the flowers bloom in the springtime, there is joy and happiness. When we are joyfully obedient to God, we open ourselves up to all kinds of happiness. Seek out moments to find joy in a neighbor, a loved one, in God.
Pray
Creator God, we are so HAPPY for the life we have been given. We know that we have to you thank for this joy that we experience. We ask that you would open us up to your righteousness so that we can find more happiness in you. Amen.
Go with God!
