Joy as a Gift
Monday’s Verse:
From Proverbs 15:13 ESV
“A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”
One of my favorite Bible verses is our verse of the day from Proverbs 15:13. Joy radiates from us. We smile easily. Our eyes gaze upward instead of downward. Proverbs 15:13 says there is a connection between the heart and what shows up on our faces.
The Bible understands there are days of mourning and burdens that weigh heavily on our spirits. But the Bible also shows us where joy comes from. As Lutherans, we do not have to generate joy by gritting our teeth and smiling harder. We receive joy as a gift.
We have gladness in Christ. Our sins are forgiven. Our deaths are swallowed up by His life. God is pleased with us through Jesus Christ. This truth anchors us when life swirls around our feet. It allows our hearts to enjoy an inward peace that flows from the Gospel, whether the day’s events go smoothly or not.
May the joy of the Gospel mold what’s on your face today. May it spill over into your conversations and your kindness towards others. But if your heart is sad today, bring your troubles to the Lord. He will not spill out your crushed spirit. He will heal you.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord Jesus, You are my joy. When I am joyful, may others see it. When I am discouraged, help me to lift my head to You again. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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