Daily Devotional for Monday, October 21

The Psalmist Looks Up to the Lord

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth,” Psalm 121:1, 2.

What makes you happy? People show enthusiasm about a lot of things. Have you been to a sporting event lately? To say people get excited is an understatement. Have you talked about politics recently? To say people get excited about their favorite candidate is also an understatement. People get excited for many reasons, but sadly, God is often not one of them. The same people filled with exuberance at the football game come to God’s house on a Sunday morning and sit as if daring somebody to bless them.

This psalm celebrates the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem to serve the Lord in the Temple. It is full of praise and excitement. The psalmist is happy to be heading to the house of the Lord. The writer acknowledges that God is the source of anything good in his life and is filled with praise and devotion to God. This group of psalms is known as the Songs of Ascent, and many believe pilgrims sang them as they ascended the road to Jerusalem for the annual Temple pilgrimage. I wonder how many Baptists are singing joyfully as they approach the house of God on a Sunday morning.

Throughout God’s Word, we can see our Lord desires that we lead joy-filled lives. When people look at us as we serve, what do they see? Do they see a person who is filled with joy? If so, maybe they will want what we have. On the other hand, perhaps they see sour, grim-faced Christians who present the idea that service to God is some sort of trial to be endured. If that is you, why would they want what you have?

JUST A THOUGHT
If you are happy in the house of the Lord, maybe you ought to let your face show it.

Wally Fry