Day 5: A joyful heart
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do (Ecclesiastes 9:7).
Our Father in heaven, You are Creator, Sustainer, Provider—You are the source of all. The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein (Psalm 24:1 -NKJV). All creatures look to You to give them their food at the proper time (Psalm 104:27).
God of provision, Jehovah Jireh, with You there is no lack, no limit, no rationing, no withholding—You are a God of bounty and abundance, generosity and profusion. You delight in the wellbeing of [those who serve You] (Psalm 35:27).
You richly provide us with everything for our enjoyment (1Timothy 6:17)—Your perfect love far surpasses even the desire of human parents to give good gifts to [their] children (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13). And far more than human parents You take great delight in our delight, and in our enjoyment of Your bounty.
The truth of Your Scripture shows us that joy is a gift from You. Your joy comes to us in magnificent wonders, in special circumstances, and in the simplicity of Your everyday blessings.
The Lord Jesus demonstrated appreciation of the wide range of gifts from heaven as He joyously shared in meals and celebrations and festivities. Those who did not understand His joyful heart criticized Him as 'a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But our Lord dismantled the attack, exposing it as part of a spectrum of self-serving, religious disapproval (Luke 7:34).
Faithful God, in Your unfailing compassions and infinite love, You shower us with new mercies each day. Help us to receive them with the gratitude and purity modeled by our Savior. Help us to live fully as He did—in Your abundant favor, embracing the simple joys of daily provision, relationship, and community.
Thank You for the ability to enjoy all You provide in the "Living Present". The wisdom of Your word instructs us, Go eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart (Ecclesiastes 9:7). Let our enjoyment be that of pure and holy worship—untainted by excess or selfishness; unhindered by sanctimoniousness.
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