The Vine: June 3, 2024
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”
This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)
“A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
”
Psalms 100 begins uniquely with a shout, calling us to shout joyfully to the LORD (100:1). Shouting can be a powerful way to express victory and joy. Think about the Israelites' triumphant shouts of faith that echoed around Jericho's walls. When did you last shout because of something you read in Scripture? When have you ever jumped, cheered, and shouted after a sermon? The last time you shouted was probably because someone cut you off in traffic or if your dog jumped up on the kitchen table. Perhaps we need a better understanding of joy.
Joy doesn’t come to everyone naturally unless you win the genetic lottery. It needs to be developed as we grow and mature in our likeness to Christ. Our scripture gives us insights on moving to a more joyful life.
One way is through service. Serve the LORD with gladness (100:2). The psalm doesn't imply we should serve only when our hearts are filled with joy. On the contrary, we are commanded to serve regardless; gladness will soon follow. Serving others will bring out more joy in our lives and others. One team of sociologists tracked 2000 people over five years and found that Americans who described themselves as “very happy” volunteered at least 5.8 hours per month. Going out into the world side by side with others to serve can produce more joy in our lives.
Our church already excels at another way to be joyful: music. In the movie Elf, Buddy gives excellent advice: "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." I don’t think this applies to Christmas but every day of the year. Our Psalm says, “Come into his presence with singing.” If you come into his presence with singing, it will stop you from coming into his presence with complaining. Maybe this is why baseball players have a walk-up song before they bat. It helps them shake off doubt and focus on joyfully hitting a homer. When you are having a tough day, start by singing. Turn on your favorite song and sing it out loud for all to hear.
Through our service to God and the world and our joyful singing, others can experience the joy of the Lord. Perhaps when we give ourselves to serving others and singing, we might be tempted to shout for joy.
Questions for Reflection:
1) The passage talks about the importance of shouting for joy to the Lord. Can you recall a recent moment when you experienced such a profound joy that compelled you to express it outwardly?
2) The psalm mentions serving the Lord with gladness. Do you find more joy in serving others, or do you struggle to find gladness in service? How can we cultivate a joyful heart while serving God?
3) The text discusses the importance of singing in God's presence. Do you find singing helpful in expressing praise and pushing negativity away? Why or why not?
4) Joy can be contagious. How can we, through our service, singing, and overall demeanor, share the joy of the Lord with others in our community?
prayer:
God of Joy,
Our scripture reminds us to make a joyful noise. We confess that sometimes our shouts are reserved for frustration or fear rather than the overflowing gratitude You deserve.
Help us, Lord, cultivate a genuinely joyful heart. Grant us the strength to find gladness in serving You and others, no matter the circumstances. We open our hearts to a deeper appreciation for all Your blessings. Show us ways to incorporate daily joy into our lives, big and small. Amen.”
In Christ,
David
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