Now Go Have Fun!

Daily Reading:  Nehemiah 12

And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. (Nehemiah 12.43)

Devotional Thought: Once, when my children were little, we planned a picnic at a nearby state park.  We all had looked forward to it, but none more than my wife, Lana.  Life had been hectic and stressful.  We got up on that fall morning and loaded up the van.  When we arrived at the park - Kentucky Fried Chicken in hand - it began to rain!  I think we must have hesitated, for Lana told us: "We are going to have fun!"  And that was that.  We had fun.

In Nehemiah 12, we read God "made them rejoice with great joy."  How did he make them rejoice?  Through coercion?  I doubt that God forced them to have fun.  God gives us freedom to choose how we respond to life.  Persuasion? I don't think that God tried to convince them of something that they didn't believe.  God is not a salesman!  Gratification?  Yes! God made them joyful by satisfying their desire.  It was a joy borne of gratification!

God made them rejoice with a...

• Great joy.  "That day" brought them great joy.  It was a day of dedication and celebration of God's provision. Great occasions - births, weddings, graduations - bring great joy.  Take advantage of the great days on the Christian calendar.  "Joyful, joyful we adore thee!"

• Generational joy.  The "children also rejoiced."  I love to see the joy of the Lord spread throughout the entire family.  My joy is boundless as I consider how my children and grandchildren are serving God!  "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God!"

• Growing joy.  True joy does not wane. Instead, it grows!  God's store of joy will never run out.  "Fill my cup, Lord.  I lift it up, Lord!"

Now go have fun!

Prayer: "You, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy" (Psalm 92.4)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 107:39-43

39 Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow;

40 he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste.

41 But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.

42 The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.

43 Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the LORD.