by Macy Johnson
“Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before Him with joyful songs.”
(Psalm 100:2 NIV)
I attended
the inaugural concert of the newly formed Madison Music Society. The Madison
Singers performed spiritual, patriotic, and American folk songs. Their
forty-five voices, music educators and hobbyist singers, filled the auditorium
with contagious enthusiasm for their craft. Voices from the middle school
chorus joined the Singers on stage in the celebration.
“’Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not
be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,’
says the Lord, who has compassion on
you.”
(Isaiah 54:10 NIV)
God’s covenant love is eternal and unshakeable. Even when the mountains move, His steadfast love toward me will not. He controls the rising waters and the blowing winds. Nothing is out of His control and care. I will look for His unfailing love and peace in the hatred and chaos all around me. I hope you will, too!
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
(Matthew 6:34 NIV)
Jesus is my only Provision. He knows the needs of every one of His creatures and meets their needs in abundance. He will help me to reject anxious thoughts, because He meets my needs, too. He has promised to give me, like the Israelites in the wilderness, daily bread. I will trust my heavenly Father will provide for me, above and beyond my wildest dreams. I hope you will, too!
“Now that you have purified yourselves
by obeying the truth so that
you have sincere love for your
brothers,
love one another deeply, from the heart.”
(1 Peter 1:22 NIV)
I asked the Lord to increase my love for the Body of Christ, His Church. I asked Him to give me a heart of service and teach me how to sincerely seek the good of the family of God. I will purify myself by being obedient to the Truth in love for His children and the sake of His kingdom. I hope you will, too!
“The earth is the Lord’s,
and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.”
(Psalm 24:1 NIV)
Maltbie Babcock was called by God into the ministry and served as a pastor in Lockport, New York. The words of his hymn, “This is My Father’s World” blossomed out of his love for the outdoors. He died on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1901. I will honor his memory by singing his famous hymn and praising God for all the beauty He has created for our joy. I hope you will, too!
“We continually remember
before our God and Father
your work produced by faith,
your labor prompted by love,
and your endurance inspired
by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV)
I ask my heavenly Father to give me the strength to continue the work of faith and labor of love, not working for myself or for my own glory, but out of love for my Savior, Jesus Christ. My efforts will not be remembered, but His works in me will bring Him honor in eternity. I will rejoice in serving Him. I hope you will, too!
“Who is wise and understanding among
you?
Let him show it by his good life,
by deeds done in the humility
that comes from wisdom.”
(James 3:13 NIV)
I want to live a life above reproach so I might reflect God’s light in a world that is lost in darkness. I will keep my mouth closed, my eyes and ears open to all that my heavenly Father is revealing to me. When I humbly put the needs of others before my own, I will attain the wisdom that is pure and holy. I hope you will, too!
