I’m High Maintenance
Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
A lot of people look at this verse and think, Oh, I will find things to be thankful for today. That is a good idea; find things to be thankful for today. But we also know that God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, made today. And he made today for joy. I am positive that if someone else were given the capability to make a day that it would be for their own personal gain and satisfaction. But God is the one who created us, he created today, and in his Word he tells us what his purpose for today is – joy!
In fact, his purposes are always good! Last Sunday while my husband was teaching he said, “When we go deeper into God’s presence, we go deeper into the goodness of his presence, and our lives are made good... He is where blessings are... Don’t stand and live in a place where God is hard to see and know.” God doesn’t mind when I choose to dwell on all that he has done, examine what is said and done in the world with his Word, and talk to him about it. It’s a high maintenance relationship, but he doesn’t mind.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells me what I was meant for... Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong in Christ Jesus.
My husband says this all the time: We were not meant for hospital beds, grave sides, or cubicles. We get a glimpse of what we were intended for when we have a relationship with the One, True Living God through his Son, Jesus. Where Jesus is, we find huge portions of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. And these are the things God always intended for the people he created. It’s easy to focus on the corruption, disasters, diseases, and disappointments that surrounds us, but those are not the things people were created to endure. We were created to be in God’s presence, and his presence is full things to rejoice about!
Dear God,
Thank you for intending me for rejoicing and giving me today to do just that. Thank you that the kind of joy you generously give is not ever dependent upon my circumstances. Thank you for making a way for to live my purpose by inviting me to be with you. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.