As we begin today, we need to make sure our focus is on the right thing so that we can choose joy. This is the day that the Lord has made so let us rejoice and be glad in it. Not because of our circumstances, but because of who God is and what He is and has done. Thanks to what God has done and His love for us, we can daily choose joy over fear, worry, anxiety, or anything else.
Joy and Gratitude in God’s Creation: Gratitude for the Gift of Each Day
In Psalm 118:24, it says,
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Each day presents a precious gift from God, brimming with opportunities for growth, blessings, and encounters with His love. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, we may face, we can find joy in knowing that each day is crafted by God’s hands. By focusing on the beauty of God’s creation and His sovereignty over our lives, we can cultivate a spirit of gratitude and joy. Recognizing the divine presence in every moment allows us to embrace each day with thankfulness, regardless of our circumstances.
Key Takeaway:
Embrace each day as a gift from God, finding joy in His creation and sovereignty.
Application:
Start each day with a prayer of thanksgiving, acknowledging God’s goodness and sovereignty over your life. Practice mindfulness by intentionally noticing the beauty in nature and the blessings around you, cultivating a heart of gratitude.
Trusting God’s Providence: Finding Joy and Peace Amidst Uncertainty
Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us that
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Choosing joy means entrusting our worries and anxieties to God, knowing that He is in control of every aspect of our lives. Despite the uncertainties we may face, we can find peace in God’s promises and His unfailing love for us. By surrendering our fears to Him and trusting in His providence, we can experience the joy that surpasses all understanding.
Key Takeaway:
Trust in God’s providence and surrender your worries to Him, finding peace in His promises.
Application:
When faced with challenges or uncertainties, turn to prayer and present your concerns to God, trusting in His faithfulness. Meditate on Scripture passages that affirm God’s sovereignty and His care for His children, allowing His peace to guard your heart and mind.
Joyful Living in Christ: Cultivating a Heart filled with Joy
In John 15:11, Jesus declares,
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."
Genuine joy emanates from a relationship with Jesus Christ, who grants us abundant life and eternal hope. We, as followers of Christ, must dwell in Him and allow His joy to saturate every facet of our lives. Choosing joy means fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith, rather than on our circumstances. By daily surrendering to His will and seeking His presence, we can experience the fullness of joy that comes from knowing and walking with our Savior.
Key Takeaway:
Find true and lasting joy in a relationship with Jesus Christ, abiding in His presence and following His teachings.
Application:
Cultivate a daily habit of spending time in prayer, worship, and Scripture reading, allowing the joy of the Lord to fill your heart. Seek opportunities to share God’s love and joy with others, spreading His light in a world that desperately needs hope and encouragement.
Overflowing Joy: Rejoicing in Eternal Promises
In conclusion, as we journey through each day, let us choose joy by fixing our eyes on the Lord and His promises. Despite the challenges and uncertainties we may face, we can find peace and gratitude in God’s provision and sovereignty. By cultivating a heart of thankfulness, trusting in His providence, and abiding in His presence, we can experience the abundant joy that comes from a life surrendered to Christ. May we continually rejoice in the day that the Lord has made, knowing that His love and faithfulness endure forever.
Today’s Devotional:
This year, I am utilizing the 365 Daily Devotions book I received for Christmas, applying its teachings specifically in the context of fatherhood. It’s called WALKING WITH GOD by DAVID JEREMIAH. It’s exciting to get to learn from a new resource this year as we have tried different options the past two years and will keep working through this one for 2024. For more information about the author and his ministry, visit: DavidJeremiah.org.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Verse: Revelation 19:7 (NLT)
Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.
Unveiling the Connection: Celebrate vs. Famous
Today’s Devotional, points us to the root and origin of the word celebrate. It caused me to dig in and look for additional information and I found the following details. Rooted in the Latin word “celebrare,” which denotes “to frequent, honor often, or celebrate,” the term “celebrate” originates from the Latin verb “celeber,” signifying “frequented, populous, or renowned.” As time progressed, the meaning of “celebrate” has expanded, embracing the notion of commemorating or acknowledging an event or occasion with joy, festivity, or ceremony.
Today’s Devotional also called out celebrate compared to famous and so I did some comparison searching there too. The connection between ‘celebrate’ and ‘famous’ stems from their common Latin root, ‘celeber.’ While ‘celebrate’ originates from the verb form of ‘celeber,’ denoting ‘to honor often’ or ‘to frequent,’ ‘famous’ derives from the adjective form, ‘celebris,’ signifying ‘renowned’ or ‘well-known.’ Ultimately, both words trace their origins back to the concept of widespread recognition, acknowledgment, or honor.
So, while “celebrate” emphasizes the act of honoring or observing with joy and ceremony, “famous” emphasizes the state of being widely recognized or renowned. Both concepts are rooted in the idea of something being esteemed or acknowledged by many.
Revelation’s Call to Celebrate: A Father’s Perspective
Today’s Devotional points us to Revelation 19. So, with the idea of celebrating the and our role as dads, I looked into how this comes together and can be incorporated in helping us be the dads our wives, kids, and world need us to be. Today’s Devotional speaks of “the marriage supper of the Lamb, the return of Jesus to the earth as King of kings and Lord of Lords” and “the voice of the great multitude.” It speaks to how there won’t be a “paparazzi in heaven, only the bride of Christ, the church.”
As fathers, we are called to lead our families with a heart of worship and reverence for God. In Revelation 19:7-9, it says, “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” This passage reminds us of the ultimate celebration awaiting us in heaven, where Christ, the Bridegroom, will unite with His bride, the Church, in a glorious wedding feast. As fathers, we are tasked with preparing our families for this eternal union by leading them in righteousness and holiness.
Leading in Celebration: Fatherhood in Revelation
Just as the bride adorns herself with fine linen, representing the righteous deeds of the saints, we must cultivate a household characterized by love, grace, and obedience to God’s Word. Revelation 19:10 emphasizes the importance of worshiping God, saying, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Our testimonies as fathers should reflect the spirit of prophecy, pointing our families towards Christ and His imminent return. Let us celebrate our role as fathers by leading our families in worship, teaching them the importance of honoring and glorifying God in all aspects of life. Through our example, may our children come to know and love the Bridegroom, eagerly anticipating the day of His glorious return.
Today’s Devotional challenges us that “If we want to be part of that celebration, we must be ready for the Rapture–when Christ gathers His bride to Himself and takes her to heaven.” Let’s be the dads who choose to be a part of the celebration and live our lives in ways that will help our wives, kids, and people in our lives to join us.
“Faith is the marriage of the soul to Christ.”
RICHARD SIBBES
