Today’s Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:31
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.”
A lady was crossing a certain London station, when an old man stopped her and said: “Excuse me, ma’am, but I want to thank you for something.” “Thank me?” exclaimed the lady. “Yes. I used to be a ticket collector and whenever you went by, you always gave me a cheerful smile and a good mornin, and you don’t know what a difference it made to me. Wet or fine, it was always the same, and I think to myself, ‘Wonder where she gets her smile from; one cannot be always happy, yet she seems to,’ and I knew that the smile must come from inside somehow. Then one mornin’ you comes by and you had a little Bible in yer hand, and I says to meself, ‘P’r’aps that’s where she got her smile from.’ So, as I went home that night, I bought a Bible, and I’ve been readin’ it, and I’ve found Christ, and now I can smile too, and I want to thank yer.”
We have a responsibility to spread this joy we have received. The world around us is plagued with sorrow. The strain of living and survival is a burden many bear, and it bows their hearts and sullies their countenance, but we are the light in this dark world. We are the joy amidst its sorrow. Let us take an active interest in lifting up the spirit of everyone we come in contact with. Though Joseph was in a dire situation himself, he was still able to spot the low spirits of the butler and the baker, and made a move to cheer them up. We have received the comfort of the Spirit; we must with it comfort others. Let a smile be permanently etched on your face, and let it inspire a smile in others. A joy shared is a joy multiplied.
It was Mark Twain that said, “Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” The fastest way to beat the gloom of life is to bloom up someone else in a gloom. However, the greatest way to spread joy to others is to lead them to the Source, by sharing with them the joy of salvation, the glad tidings meant for all people. Jesus was weary and hungry from His journey, but He still took out time to communicate life to a reject. The result was unprecedented joy, not just for the Samaritan woman at the well, but for the whole city. Let us make a conscious effort today and always to reach out to others with this good news of great joy. God will empower us as we do, and bless us accordingly, in Jesus’ name.
Memorize & Meditate:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Prayer/Confession:
Father, I ask for and receive the grace to spread Your joy to others. Grant me the boldness to lead others to You, the only true Source of joy. I will be a source of joy to everyone I come in contact with, in Jesus’ name.
