Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Change" Thursday, 1 May 2014 - Read Psalm 98:1-6

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Change" Thursday, 1 May 2014 - Read Psalm 98: A Psalm.
1 Sing to Yahweh a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things!
    His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.
2 Yahweh has made known his salvation.
    He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
    All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to Yahweh, all the earth!
    Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to Yahweh with the harp,
    with the harp and the voice of melody.
6 With trumpets and sound of the ram’s horn,
    make a joyful noise before the King, Yahweh.
Shout for joy to the Lord.--Psalm 98:4 (NIV)
Early in May, I was talking with a neighbor who was disappointed that the leaves of his maple tree hadn’t yet changed color. Within a few days of our conversation we experienced three successive frosts, our first for the year. Suddenly, the neighbor’s tree, along with thousands of others around town, changed dramatically. They took on the oranges, reds, and deep gold colors that had been missing throughout our mild autumn. Driving around our streets became such a delight as the trees suddenly blazed with color and seemed to shimmer as gentle breezes stirred within the leaves. Normally I dislike the start of the frosty winter season, but this year it brought such a complete change in the foliage that I was able to rejoice in the amazing beauty of God’s creation. So often I’m ready to see the downside of changes occurring around me but fail to remember to thank God as I also begin to see the benefits of the changes. This autumn I felt nurtured, as God gently showed me how all of creation works together to create beauty and wonder. It deepened my trust in God and helped me to learn to look for reasons to rejoice in everything I experience.
The Author: Meg Mangan (New South Wales, Australia)
Thought for the Day: Today I will rejoice in the beauty of creation.
Prayer: Wonderful, creative God, thank you for all the blessings you shower upon us. Help us to rejoice with you in the beauty and the good in all you give us. Amen.
Prayer focus: To look for the beauty around us
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