Shout for joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.

Psalm 66:1

I loved to swing as a child. Our teachers would take turns swinging us on the playground. When I learned to pump, I became an independent swinger. How invigorating to soar higher and higher.

I have another memory of swinging. When my two granddaughters were small I would take them to the park. As I swung them I would sing one of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poems from his Child’s Garden of Verses published in 1913. It was eventually set to music.

How do you like to go up in a swing,

Up in the air so blue?

Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing

Ever a child can do.

The feeling of exhilaration experienced from swinging is one we would all like to obtain. As Christians we have the resources to feel that high. God’s Word is full of suggestions for us to follow in order to soar as I did on that playground swing.

Philippians 4 is my favorite chapter in the Bible. The 4th verse says, Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Rejoicing in something is surely a thrill like swinging high in the air.

What do we have to rejoice about? Have you grasped the concept that the God of the universe chose to breathe life into you? He gave you a personality and a soul. He also has a plan for your life. The One who named the stars gave you life. How awesome is that? Rejoice!

Not only did God breathe life into you, He has a plan to redeem you from your broken condition. God gave His only Son that you might spend eternity with Him. Rejoice over His plan.

Think about the fact that the omnipotent God wants a personal relationship with you. He is not some far removed god who demands sacrifices. “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6).

Listen to what His Word tells us: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry (Psalm 34:15). Remember that all Christians are considered righteous because of the blood of Christ. Wrap your mind around the truth that the all-knowing, eternal, most powerful God listens to your prayers. What a privilege! Rejoice!

Life brings its share of trouble. There will be disappointments, illness and death. These are inevitable. We live in a fallen world. In the midst of all the adversities we need to remember all the things we have to rejoice about.

Someday, the trouble will end. Christ will come and the world will be set right. If you are a child of God, you can look forward to an everlasting existence in the very presence of Almighty God. Rejoice!

Dear Father, Our high will come from our hope in Christ and Your eternal love.

Janice Yandell