As a kid, my summers were spent doing simple things that brought me and my friend’s great joy. For instance, we used to swim at an old pool, up the road, that was attached to a low end motel. We paid some minuscule fee and were let in for the afternoon to swim to our hearts' content. I imagine that pool closed long ago. But, to us kids, it was a haven of joy, fun and safe exercise.
I was thinking back to my childhood and how simplicity was the key. In the everyday, simple things that surrounded me, I found joy. I reflected again on the Psalmist words, “This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV). As kids, we took things one day at a time, looked for ways to enjoy or experience it to the full, with the resources we had and maintained well balanced or realistic expectations. We thought we had it made. It was the only world that we knew but, to us, it was a good world that we celebrated each day. We rejoiced and were glad in it!
The Psalmist, in Psalm 118, rejoices in a slightly different way as he reminds us all of…
· God’s daily mercies, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (v. 29)
· The spiritual light that He “has given us” (v. 27)
· Our “salvation” (v. 21) through Jesus (v. 22)
· Our “salvation” in daily deliverance and protection (vv. 10-14)
· Our complete trust in God’s leading and providence (vv. 5-9)
Each day, we are presented with opportunities to enjoy and be blessed by the world around us. I must note that, in times of crisis, this is hard. But ,what we need to remember in those really difficult times is that God is with us; He strengthen us and gives us wisdom and grace for each day. In normal times, the opportunities that lay before us are full of interesting possibilities, enjoyment and growth. So much of life is bound up in attitude. As I have said before, “Thankfulness is the soil in which joy thrives.”
As we live each day, look for possibilities to explore how it might turn into a “surprise of joy” as we celebrate it with Jesus. Be creative, reach out to others and keep a positive outlook as you yield the “sword of the Spirit”, God’s word (Ephesians 6:17 NIV). Remember, as you start each new day like the ancients of old…
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever"" (Psalm 118:1-4 NIV).
Have a great day and live the possibilities it gives you.
God loves you and so do I – Pastor Ralph
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