Devotional 12-17-17

Rejoice

Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your Lord and King adore:
mortals, give thanks and sing,
and triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart, lift up your voice;
rejoice; again I say, rejoice.                         (UM Hymnal – 715 - Charles Wesley, 1746)

Christmas time is indeed a time to rejoice.  As the hymn states, we are to rejoice.  We are to lift up our hearts and voices and rejoice. God provides. Jesus is here. REJOICE!

Several days a week, my husband and I pick up our grandchildren after school.  We enjoy this time together, playing and working on homework and building relationships.  Our only problem is that, on the way home from school, we have to drive by those magic golden arches, known as McDonalds.  And after a hard day at school, where the grandchildren have had to be on their best behavior and have studied their reading and math and every other subject, they surely must deserve a treat.  And to them, there is nothing better as a treat, than a “Happy Meal”.  It doesn’t matter that what would really be better, is for us to buy the food and then give them money to buy a toy later.  Only that “Happy Meal” with the surprise toy included, will cause them to rejoice!

In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians 5:16-19, he says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  We are to rejoice, and pray, and give thanks.  But here is the problem for us.  We are to rejoice and pray and give thanks all of the time.  Not just when good things happen – but all of the time – even when nothing is happening or when things are bad.  How is that even possible?  But Paul says that is what God wants us to do. What a test for our faith and our relationship with God.

As we prepare ourselves for this Christmas time, I encourage you to try to do what Paul has suggested.  As you try to rejoice and pray and give thanks through each day, through every circumstance, you will begin to feel your relationship and your trust in God beginning to deepen, and realize that God is in control. We must pray for God’s will to be done.  It is not easy, especially when things are difficult and trying, but it is only through God’s love and strength and grace, that we become the person God wants us to be.

Rejoice!  Again I say, Rejoice!

Blessings,
Rev. Suzanne Ellis