CFNN Reporter: Brianna Keen

There was no meeting on Tuesday, but Coach Britt led the devotion on Thursday. The focus of the devotion was “don’t forget to rejoice.” The scripture we read was Nehemiah 8:9-12,  Philippians 4:4-7, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. 

Whether we are in a season of strife or joy, we should turn to the Father with reverence and rejoicing. I think this is an issue that all Christians struggle with, no matter how long they’ve walked with the Lord. It can be difficult to praise Him when you feel nothing in your life is worth rejoicing over. However, God is always worth our praise. Some things that help me rejoice in the valleys of life are self reflection and thinking of times that He has given me a reason to rejoice, even when it was hard. 

When I am going through a trial and not rejoicing in the midst of that trial, I like to question myself and my ego. Who am I to question the High Priest? Who am I, a wretched sinner, to be upset with the way that the Lord is working in my life? I don’t ask myself these questions for self deprecation, but rather to put me back in my place. This goes back to my thoughts of being too lackadaisical with the Creator of the universe. Am I really coming before the God who is the Beginning and the End, the Alpha and the Omega, Adonai, El Shaddai (to name a few of His glory and holy filled names) with judgment of His mysterious yet glorious ways? It is important that I check myself when I am not praising the Lord. I also think that I could be in way worse circumstances. I don’t do that to undermine my experiences and feelings, but rather to be thankful for the circumstance I’m in, which could be far worse than they are. I remind myself of Daniel in the lion’s den. Am I in a pit with multiple hungry lions waiting to feast on my flesh? No. Not even close. But even as he was in the lion’s den, Daniel was trusting and abiding in the Lord. Thinking of this helps me come back to reality, as well as realize that it is not that serious and the Lord still deserves my worship. 

As for thinking of times that the Lord has given me to rejoice even when it was hard, I think of one pivotal moment in my life. In July 2023, a very special person I loved passed away in a freak accident. It was a complete shock and I didn’t know what else to do other than cry out to God. As I was in pain, feeling lost in deep sorrow, the Lord reminded me of something that calmed my restless soul. A small and peaceful voice spoke to me saying “I saved him before I brought him home.” Ever since I heard that, I rejoiced in the otherwise painful circumstance. Yes, a person I loved with my whole heart was gone from this earth, but how beautiful and merciful that the Lord had saved his soul a little over a year before the accident? You see, this boy had been an atheist since we were in sixth grade, but over time, God worked in his heart. He knew our heavenly Father when he took his last breath on that warm summer night, and that is worth rejoicing. To witness firsthand how hardened his heart was toward God and then to see him accept his Savior, I am truly thankful. An unbeliever may see it as cruel that God chose to take him when He did, but I think it is quite the opposite. I will forever rejoice in the goodness of God, because it is by Him that that sweet boy is praising the Lord right now, forever and ever. Even in death and loss does the Lord demand to be praised, and praise I will. His grace and holiness should not go unnoticed, even in painful circumstances. Afterall, He is unchanging, so His attributes aren’t just magically gone when we are in a valley. He is just as good yesterday, today, and always. 

The prayer at the end of the devotion says “God, I slip into a complaintive and troubled mindset a lot. Forgive me when I have stopped praising and rejoicing in You. I know You care for me and my feelings when I feel sad, but help me rejoice in You before anything and give thanks to You before any other emotion. Amen.”

Thank you for reading, and remember to pick up your cross daily!