-March 20, 2023-
Good morning, happy Monday,
“When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.”
(Luke 1:58).
Today is a happy day: it is the first day of spring. The Spring Equinox marks time that the sun crosses over the equator in the Northern Hemisphere. Days start to have more daylight. Spring is like a new beginning each year. Flowers are planted, and better weather is ahead. It reminds me of how the sunshine, warmth, and growth is shared by us all.
For Elizabeth the wife of Zacharias, there was great joy. She who was old and barren gave birth to John the Baptist. An angel had revealed to her husband that she would have a son, a very special son, the forerunner of Christ. Because he didn’t believe, he was unable to speak until John was born. Elizabeth had surely shared the news with friends and relatives. Now at the birth, her friends and family rejoiced with her.
Two things should make us happy: when good things happen to us and when good things happen to those we know and love. It is called “sharing the moment.” A moment is a brief period of time. During a moment in time great, significant, and life changing things can happen. The birth of one’s first child or grandchild is one such moment. This was certainly an incredible moment for the world and for Elizabeth and her family and friends. They rejoiced with her.
Naomi in the OT experienced much the same reaction from the people of Bethlehem when baby Obed, the great grandfather of David, was born to Ruth, her daughter-in-law who had married Boaz. Ruth 4:14 says, “Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative (or redeemer); and may his name be famous in Israel.”
It is a sign of spiritual maturity when we can be just as happy when others succeed, enjoy a blessing from the Lord, and experience an answer to prayer than if it happened to us. When God does something wonderful for others, we can share in it; and when we experience something great, we should share it with others. Paul told the Romans and the Corinthian believers, “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (See Romans 12:15 and 1 Corinthians 12:26).
May the Lord help us to share the moment with those we know and care about. We should always glorify the Lord for everything, for every blessing comes from Him. If someone graduates from high school or college, has a child or grandchild, gets a new job, receives a promotion, gets a raise, is healed from a sickness or surgery, is able to retire, or in any other blessing should be a cause for rejoicing and celebrating for us all.
Have a blessed day rejoicing in the goodness, faithfulness, and mercy of God upon others as well as on ourselves. Stay safe and healthy.
With no envy or jealousy, we rejoice with one another joyously,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 