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Ecclesiastes 9:7 – Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. (NIV 2011)
Shortly after seven o'clock each morning, I take our dogs for a walk. One day this past weekend, one of my sisters, who was staying the weekend, joined me. That was fun for all of us: she and I enjoyed watching our animals, and they enjoyed having an extra human along. Our dogs are always pretty happy, and all the more so in the morning when they come out of their crates and enjoy their freedom. The weather here has been very hot in recent weeks, which our dogs don't like too much, but this past weekend, the mornings were crisp and cool, just the way they love it.
Think of that morning from the dogs' perspective: another human being to play with, another morning to enjoy, beautiful cool weather … As my sister and I watched them, we both remarked how happy they were — even more so than usual! They just seemed happy to be alive!
I'm often struck by the lessons animals teach us, and that morning, the lesson was clear: to rejoice — to be happy and joyful, full of joy — at the sheer wonder of being alive. To revel in our freedom. To feel the cool air on our skin. To rejoice in the company of those around us. Everything that morning — literally everything — was a source of joy and happiness: amazing gifts we all receive from our amazing Creator!
1 Peter 1:8-9 – Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (NIV 2011)
Let us be thankful and joyful for all that is in our lives. As we feel that joy, let us allow that joy to reflect and magnify the joy that we have for life in Christ.
Prayer: Loving God, help us always to be joyful and thankful for all that You are, for all that You have given us, and for all that You do in our lives. In Jesus' holy and precious name, we pray. Amen.
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So true Scott.
Thanks Scott. This is uplifting and joyful.
Dear Scott, thank you for sharing your wonderful story and your joy. I truly, truly believe too! Praise the Lord! God bless you and yours.
I know what you mean Scott. One of my greatest pleasures in life is watching my pack running the trails each morning full of the joy of life. Indeed, how pleased and content God must be when He sees that same joy in life in us!
Thank you very much Scott for this morning’s devotional. That is the key — to experience, recognize, be thankful for and reflect the Joy!
Blessings to you.
Thanks Scott. After the devotional didn’t show up in my inbox, I read this online at the Daily website. Then I remembered to check the spam folder. Yep, found the devotional there. Blessings.
Scott, thank you
In these times we need this reminder to find joy in the small things of life.
My cats greet me with joyful nuzzles and requests for petting every morning.
The animals have much to teach us!
Good Morning Scott,
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all You lands. Come into His gates with thanksgiving, and unto His Courts with praise, for the Lord is good, and His Mercy is everlasting!
Days like this surely prove it! Thanks be to God!
Greetings Scott,
Thanks for the beautiful devotional this morning. The way things are happening in our world these days we really must reflect on the joy we can have by serving our Lord and trusting in the abundant love and care He has for us. We must give joyful thanks to Him each and every day.
Blessings,
(B.C.)
I go with the dogs in the early morning too, and it is the same for us: a new day, full of possibilities and wonder. They sniff their way around the route and try to chase rabbits feeding in the early morning and I rejoice in it all. Now that I have a scooter it is a less painful experience for me and we can go farther and though I cannot walk without pain, and riding gives me no exercise but my hands and arms, I love it! My husband is not a morning person so this is my time and theirs. Thanks for the message. God often speaks to me in such times. Ordinary things with deeper implications. But isn’t that what Jesus did? Draw peoples’ attention to the ordinary things and teach them spiritual lessons. Amazing! Blessings on your day!
How thankful I am for your uplifting message to greet a rainy day. I am thankful for friendships and also for a wonderful evening for memories of happy days spent in yesteryear and for safe travelling along the road!!! Thanks for sharing.
Dear Scott Williams,
Thank you for a joyful devotional. It’s joy built up.
Keep writing.
Hi Scott,
We are indeed thankful for all the things we do have in our lives.
Thank you for writing.
Blessings.
Hello Scott…
I just finished reading your Presbycan Daily Devotional titled JOY. I would love to include your words in our church’s newsletter.
Thank you for considering and I look forward to hearing from you.
(Ontario)