The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Dancing for Joy" for Thursday, 5 January 2017 with Scripture: Psalm 34:1 (0) By David, when he pretended to be insane before Avimelekh, who then drove him away; so he left:
2 (1) I will bless Adonai at all times;
his praise will always be in my mouth.
3 (2) When I boast, it will be about Adonai;
the humble will hear of it and be glad.
4 (3) Proclaim with me the greatness of Adonai;
let us exalt his name together.
5 (4) I sought Adonai, and he answered me;
he rescued me from everything I feared.
6 (5) They looked to him and grew radiant;
their faces will never blush for shame.
7 (6) This poor man cried; Adonai heard
and saved him from all his troubles.
2 (1) I will bless Adonai at all times;
his praise will always be in my mouth.
3 (2) When I boast, it will be about Adonai;
the humble will hear of it and be glad.
4 (3) Proclaim with me the greatness of Adonai;
let us exalt his name together.
5 (4) I sought Adonai, and he answered me;
he rescued me from everything I feared.
6 (5) They looked to him and grew radiant;
their faces will never blush for shame.
7 (6) This poor man cried; Adonai heard
and saved him from all his troubles.
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I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.[Psalm 34:1 (NRSV)]
One gray London evening, I listened to a musician play in a public square. All around, toes tapped and fingers snapped in rhythm. Onlookers swayed, appearing tempted to dance; but nobody did, perhaps not wanting to look foolish in front of so many strangers. Then one man bent over, grabbed his little girl’s hands, and began to dance with her. The little girl swayed and stepped, not intimidated by the crowd. Eyes fixed on her father, she danced freely, and their joy in each other brightened the chilly dusk.
Often, like the onlookers in the crowd, I hold back from expressing my joy. I’m too afraid of people’s opinions. Worshiping wholeheartedly is easy when everyone else is doing the same. But Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times.”
Like the little girl dancing with her father, we can focus on God instead of the people around us and be free to worship God at any time. Today, let us praise God wholeheartedly.
The Author: Elizabeth Syson (Arizona, USA)
Thought for the Day: I will praise the Lord no matter who is watching me.
Prayer: Dear God, we want to worship you wholly, freely, and joyfully. Please help us to keep our eyes on you and praise you as we pray, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV). Amen.
Prayer focus: Fathers and daughters
I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.[Psalm 34:1 (NRSV)]
One gray London evening, I listened to a musician play in a public square. All around, toes tapped and fingers snapped in rhythm. Onlookers swayed, appearing tempted to dance; but nobody did, perhaps not wanting to look foolish in front of so many strangers. Then one man bent over, grabbed his little girl’s hands, and began to dance with her. The little girl swayed and stepped, not intimidated by the crowd. Eyes fixed on her father, she danced freely, and their joy in each other brightened the chilly dusk.
Often, like the onlookers in the crowd, I hold back from expressing my joy. I’m too afraid of people’s opinions. Worshiping wholeheartedly is easy when everyone else is doing the same. But Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times.”
Like the little girl dancing with her father, we can focus on God instead of the people around us and be free to worship God at any time. Today, let us praise God wholeheartedly.
The Author: Elizabeth Syson (Arizona, USA)
Thought for the Day: I will praise the Lord no matter who is watching me.
Prayer: Dear God, we want to worship you wholly, freely, and joyfully. Please help us to keep our eyes on you and praise you as we pray, “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation” (Luke 11:2-4, NIV). Amen.
Prayer focus: Fathers and daughters
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