Blessed And Happy Again In Jesus

"Today's Devotion" For October 28, 2005

Read: I Peter 1:3-9; Psalm 126

BLESSED AND HAPPY AGAIN IN JESUS

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Rom.15:13)

In 1952, the year I was born, one of my all-time favorite musicals was brought to the "silver screen." "Singin' In The Rain," starring Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor, was a light-hearted, feel good movie musical that built on the post-World War II prosperity of the nation and provided a relief during the height of the Korean Conflict. One of the lyric lines of "Singin' In The Rain" goes, "What a wonderful feelin', I'm happy again." I can clearly see Mr. Kelly, in his own inimical, athletic dance style, jumping up and down along the curb, kicking up the puddles and getting drenched in the downpour - all the time with a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye, and singing a song with great, upbeat lyrics. In the same musical, Mr. Kelly's co-star, another of the athletic dance style crowd, Mr. Donald O'Connor, put on a whale of a performance as he danced and sang "Make 'Em Laugh." What I remember most about this particular musical is its upbeat, light, comedic banter and uplifting tunes and dance routines that truly did bring a smile to one's face and laughter to one's heart.

How much more powerful a source of joy, hope, and laughter isn't the wonderful Word and promises of God? God's Word and His promise of salvation from Sin, Death, and Satan is a musical of cosmic proportions. It's filled with the pain of living and the joy of knowing God's love, grace, and mercy, especially revealed for us in His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. In the face of the sorrow that Sin brings into the world is the joyful song of the angelic chorus over the fields at Bethlehem, "Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth." The magnificent choreography of God's Plan of Salvation throughout the history of the world, through the prophets and the apostles, His chosen People of Israel, and finally to the angelic proclamations to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds brought the Savior into the world, to redeem the world, and bring gladness and joy in His salvation into the hearts of all humanity. As the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, working through the power of God's Word comes to people and changes their hearts and lives, the lyrics of "Singin' In The Rain" seem quite appropriate and meaningful, for truly God's promises in Jesus bring "a wonderful feeling, I'm happy again."

As God's dearly beloved, redeemed children by faith in Jesus Christ, you and I have the opportunity to share God's marvelous love and grace with the world. He calls us to a life of joy and peace as we daily receive His forgiveness for all our sins. Filled with hope and laughter in our hearts, in the face of the tragedies of life that face us at home and abroad - crime in the streets, political intrigue and dishonesty, economic uncertainty, war and terrorism, religious fanaticism and hatred - we have a message of hope and peace in Jesus. We have a message of love and joy in Christ that can "Make 'Em Laugh" in the face of adversity and fear, tragedy and horror, war and pestilence. As we share that message of hope, peace, joy, love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus Christ we can be certain that by the power of God's Word and Spirit people, everywhere, will come to trust and hope in Jesus. After all, it's Jesus that can lead to that "wonderful feelin', I'm happy again" in the lives of people.

Today, as everyday, we are refreshed for our journey in life by the power of God's love and forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Through the daily renewal of our Baptisms, the Holy Spirit reminds us and assures us that we are held in the very palm of God's hand and that nothing can separate us from His love. Instead of being weighed down by the troubles and burdens of the world or the power of Sin in our lives, we are free to rejoice and be glad that we have God's peace in our hearts and the confident assurance of eternal life with Him in heaven. We are forgiven people. Our sins are washed away in the blood of Christ. Filled with the confidence and assurance of God's forgiveness and peace we live joy-filled lives for everyone to see. Filled with His joy, then, we live and work with a smile on our faces, laughter in our hearts and on our lips, and reflect the true blessedness and happiness that only Jesus can bring into people's lives. They are gifts of God to us which we gladly, freely, and graciously share with others every day, as in Christ's service we "Make 'Em Laugh." What a great privilege it is for us to bring Christ's peace and joy to others so they can declare, "What a wonderful feelin', I'm happy again!"

Prayer: Father, I'm so thankful that You have given me the joy and peace of knowing Jesus as my Savior and Lord. In Him You give me that "wonderful feelin', I'm happy again!" each morning. Every day You remind me in my Baptism that I am Your dearly beloved child and that You have made me Your very own. You continue to shower Your blessings and forgiveness upon me, simply because of Jesus' sacrifice for my sins. As I am blessed by the pure joy of knowing Christ as my Savior and Lord, help me to share that joy with others. Let me be a faithful witness to His love for the world, and show me how I might "Make 'Em Laugh" in Jesus today because of the joy of knowing Him as their Savior and Lord. I pray all this in His most precious and holy name. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright ©2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.