History Books in 90 Days: Joshua 4-5
Making the EFFORT
Proverbs 17:22; A cheerful heart is good medicine
Joy is defined as “that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune,
the gratification of desire or some good possessed”. The Bible tells us that strength and joy are
in God’s very dwelling place. Joy, in the Bible, is always a result of the work of the Lord. There is
joy in rescue, joy in victory, joy in forgiveness, joy in provision and joy in His presence. We are
reminded in Scripture that the joy of the Lord is our strength. We can find great joy, at all times, in
the goodness of God.
Laughter is a good thing, though godly humour is hard to come by in this day and age. It seems
that most of the comedic material out there is crass, demeaning and sarcastic. Our humour should
never violate God’s law, which tells us to love others and to season our speech with grace. Still, it
is a wonderful blessing to experience joy and laughter, to laugh until your sides ache and tears run.
We should be quick to smile and laugh at ourselves and to let loose, that others might know us.
The Proverbs 31 woman is able to “laugh at the days to come.” She does not live in constant worry
and stress about the future of her household or of the economy. She seems to work wisely and
efficiently in the moment, and joyfully look ahead to the future.
Let us find moments to laugh in our day. Fearlessly push past your insecurities and be open
and vulnerable to those around you today. Allow yourself to laugh when you’re tempted to feel
embarrassed, to let go of pride. Be a cheerful heart in your home, your workplace and your school,
and you will bring medicine and refreshment to all you meet.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask God to show you an area of your life that you are taking too seriously. Literally open your
hands before the Lord in prayer. Place your control of this issue into your hands and give it up
to the Lord.
2. In prayer, ask God to fill your heart with the joy of the Lord. Our Lord was able to have joy in
even the most intense suffering, so we have no excuse today. Pray that His joy would overflow
into you, and that your joy would in turn overflow onto others.
3. Choose to smile at people today. Surrender your pride to God and ask Him to help you fight
embarrassment and insecurity today.
