Sunrise brightens this day
Framing with precious light
Adventure comes this way
Guiding morning’s delights
Clearest blue sky above
Releasing gentle voice
Blessed with Creator’s love
Calling self to rejoice
Stillness of ocean’s breeze
Finding life’s missing piece
Each hour dissolves unease
Unlocking time’s new lease
Peaceful waters spread out
Prevailing winds called forth
Navigation’s new route
Setting compass true north
From John 15:10-11: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. I have said these things to you so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
Rejoicing with Father
Peace quiets every storm
Joy’s spirit transforms heart
Nurturing, always warm
Learning from Father’s Word
Faith nourished, always trust
Joy sails on eagle’s wings
Bringing light, always just
Receiving Father’s grace
Precious gift of each day
Joy cascades from His love
Rising sun, never gray
Walking in Father’s steps
Hope breathes with every stride
Joy’s anticipation
Filling outlook with pride
Kneeling at Father’s feet
Gratitude sweeps ashore
Joy flowing with gladness
Entering Heaven’s door
From the words of American evangelist, Bill Bright: “The joy of God is experienced as I love, trust, and obey God.”
From Isaiah 61:10: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God.”
Promised love, Holy Grace from God
Rejoice with glory to the Lord
His glad tidings unite our faith
Not forsaken, never ignored
Our Father’s Word offers new life
His caring hand touches each lamb
Rejoicing with Holy goodness
Everlasting joy, sweetest jam
Foundation of life, through our faith
Sharing the mantle of God’s love
Deliverance heals our spirit
God’s Glory, rejoicing above
Every breath exalts the Lord
Clothed in garments of salvation
Covered by robe of righteousness
Rejoice in Christ’s coronation
From Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Originally published December, 2020.
No one can get Joy by merely asking for it. It is one of the ripest fruits of the Christian life, and, like all fruits, must be grown.
From Philippians 4:4-6: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Henry Drummond (1851-1897) was a Scottish evangelist, writer, and lecturer.
Witnessing God’s mercy
Praises of joy heard above
Rejoicing in His presence
Angels’ voices share love
Flowing with love-filled peace
God’s divine plan offers hope
Turning back enemy’s breath
Grace flows down Zion’s slope
Gathering Shepherd’s flock
Each sinner trusts light ahead
Exulting in God’s glory
Fed from love’s daily bread
Coming to Calvary
Christ bearing salvation’s key
Raising love beyond heavens
Debts nailed to brutal tree
Embracing righteousness
Darkness no longer pursues
Proclaiming risen Good News
Savior’s love, always true
Our love grows soft if it is not strengthened by truth, and our truth grows hard if it is not softened by love.
From 1 Corinthians 13:4-6: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth.”
John Stott (1921-2011) was an English preacher and Christian theologian. During his years in the ministry, he was one of the leaders of the worldwide evangelical movement.
From Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts; so I am helped, and my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”
Every generation
Hope rests in Father above
His help in decades past
Built upon eternal love
From salvation’s refuge
Father’s strength grasps every hand
His presence shall defend
With faith’s shield, just as He planned
Hopeful hearts always trust
Father’s promises fulfilled
Morning’s light ever shines
Earthly ground now freshly tilled
Past, present, and future
Father’s guidance, count on it
Fed with living water
Darkness fades, ready to quit
Rejoice with today’s gift
Grace comes from Father above
Step forward, now accept
Songs of praise, filled with our love
With lyrics written in 1708 by English minister and hymn writer, Isaac Watts, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” provides an enriching complement to Psalm 28. Watts fashioned this hymn from the verses of Psalm 90. You are encouraged to listen to American singer, Bing Crosby, as he presents this stirring hymn.
The spiritual life is a life beyond moods. It is a life in which we choose joy and do not allow ourselves to become victims of passing feelings of happiness or depression.
From Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice“
Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) was a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.
From Philippians 4:4-5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”
Waiting hope, in darkness
World absent of peace
When will joy truly arrive?
Faith’s brokenness must cease
Trusting God without fear
His comfort coming
Joy draws salvation’s water
Messiah forthcoming
Leading to Bethlehem
Hope shall be restored
Peace overflowing with joy
Heaven’s angels onboard
Praising with humble hearts
God’s gentleness seeks
Joy’s rejoicing voices sing
Shepherd’s emotions speak
Proclaiming hope’s presence
Repentance brings peace
Faith’s witness fills lungs with joy
Love opens heaven’s lease
From Isaiah 12:5-6: “Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”
An Advent hymn accompanies this poem, “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.” This traditional English carol was first discovered in an anonymous manuscript in the 1650s.
If we think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts, we think rightly.
From 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Big Sky Buckeye 