Morning Devotional 031326 Choose Joy

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

March 13, 2026

Psalm 27:1-14

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation. Should I fear anyone? The LORD is a fortress protecting my life. Should I be frightened of anything? 2 When evildoers come at me trying to eat me up it’s they, my foes and my enemies, who stumble and fall! 3 If an army camps against me, my heart won’t be afraid. If war comes up against me, I will continue to trust in this: 4 I have asked one thing from the LORD it’s all I seek: to live in the LORD’s house all the days of my life, seeing the LORD’s beauty and constantly adoring his temple. 5 Because he will shelter me in his own dwelling during troubling times; he will hide me in a secret place in his own tent; he will set me up high, safe on a rock. 6 Now my head is higher than the enemies surrounding me, and I will offer sacrifices in God’s tent sacrifices with shouts of joy! I will sing and praise the LORD. 7 LORD, listen to my voice when I cry out have mercy on me and answer me! 8 Come, my heart says, seek God’s face. LORD, I do seek your face! 9 Please don’t hide it from me! Don’t push your servant aside angrily you have been my help! God who saves me, don’t neglect me! Don’t leave me all alone! 10 Even if my father and mother left me all alone, the LORD would take me in. 11 LORD, teach me your way; because of my opponents, lead me on a good path. 12 Don’t give me over to the desires of my enemies, because false witnesses and violent accusers have taken their stand against me. 13 But I have sure faith that I will experience the LORD’s goodness in the land of the living! 14 Hope in the LORD! Be strong! Let your heart take courage! Hope in the LORD!

Good Morning, Be Strong! Let your heart take courage!

What a roller coaster weather ride this week! Of course, it is March, and the weather is often unpredictable. One day you need a coat and gloves; the next, shorts and flip-flops. 

Our lives resemble the weather patterns. There are times when everything follows a normal pathway. We move from season to season. We know the stifling days of summer will be followed by the crisp, fragrant air of fall, so we persevere in hope of the next season or weather pattern. 

We struggle with the turbulent shifts that our lives can take. One day, everything is fine, and then it's as if the rug is pulled from beneath our feet. We receive unexpected news: a medical diagnosis, an accident, a death in the family ... and life is upended for a bit. 

We must never forget that God is with us in all times: the good and the bad. Like the longing for cooler weather on a hot summer day, we must hold on to the hope in God. If God has been with us and shown us the way forward in the past, then God will surely do so again and again, as often as we call out. 

For now, let’s sing songs of joy and praise God. Happiness can be situational and fleeting, but joy is something different, though. Something sturdier. Joy does not require things to be better. Joy surprises us, accompanies us, carries us, and sustains us through all of life’s highs and lows. Choose joy day and every day!

God of Wisdom, you bless us abundantly! Help us find the hope that you make possible in every situation. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: God will help us make lemonade from the lemons of our lives.

Choose Joy! Pastor Liz