The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Sunday, 15 October 2017 "Joy!" by Lisa Ward - Psalm 105:1-7
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DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2017
Sixteen members of my family piled into an army bus and drove for miles on a freezing winter night, bound for the airplane hangar where we would await the return of my son from Afghanistan. New babies were waiting to meet their daddies. Young wives were dressed up to greet their husbands, and excited children were running around. Parents like me were thrilled that the Lord had given us another chance to hug our children. Joy, peace, and praise filled the room.
When it was announced that the plane had been sighted, we cheered and waved flags. As the soldiers marched into the hangar, I scanned each face, looking for my son. When I finally saw him, I praised God for my son’s safe return. At that moment, everything was perfect.
Many moments can bring us great joy — watching a bird in flight, the glory of a sunrise, the birth of a child, or falling in love. In all of them we can stop and praise God for allowing us to feel such joy. We can resolve not to miss these moments of joy which are God’s daily gifts to us. And our gifts in return are gratitude, praise, and service. Today we can give thanks to the Lord, call on God’s name, sing praises to God, and make known among the nations all of God’s wonderful acts.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Dear Lord, make us truly thankful for all your gifts of big and small moments of joy. Amen.
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Psalm 105:1 Give thanks to Adonai! Call on his name!
Make his deeds known among the peoples.
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him,
talk about all his wonders.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let those seeking Adonai have joyful hearts.
4 Seek Adonai and his strength;
always seek his presence.
5 Remember the wonders he has done,
his signs and his spoken rulings.
6 You descendants of Avraham his servant,
you offspring of Ya‘akov, his chosen ones,
7 he is Adonai our God!
His rulings are everywhere on earth.
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Today I will praise God for all the joys in my life.
Military Families
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Header Photo Credit: "Harvested Land," Beth Shumate. August 15, 2014. (link)
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