July 4

The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to seek the LORD, the God of Israel. For seven days they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to strengthen their hands in the work on the house of the God of Israel. — Ezra 6:21-22 BSB

The Lord is always doing things to make us joyful, if we would only accept the love He gives us and find joy in it. The Christian life should be one of joy. Christ said He wanted His disciples to have His joy within them, and He wanted their joy to be full. There are many reasons we should be joyful Christians. The greatest is that we are saved from sin and part of God’s family. Our privileges, blessings, and hopes are more than enough to fill our hearts with gladness.

We should show our joy in thankfulness. Some people accept everything God gives them, and all that He does for them, but still live their lives grumbling and complaining. Every small trial or care seems bigger to them than all the many good things God has done. There’s never any sunshine in their faces because they always find something unsatisfactory, something to complain about, which gives them an excuse to be unhappy. This is a miserable way to live. These people aren’t joyful themselves, and they certainly don’t make the world brighter for anyone else. We should be ashamed to live so poorly and ungratefully. God wants us to be shining lights, spreading joy and good cheer wherever we go. Instead of being complainers, He wants us to be like sweet singers. It’s a sin not to live with joy!