Yesterday, in the middle of Facebook posts about loss, about sickness, about bad news, about political differences — I posted a muted hallelujah about finding a replacement for my stolen truck. There was even initial guilt that came from people who are clearly dealing with difficult challenges congratulating me for my joyful moment. The enemy tried to whisper that I shouldn’t celebrate or praise the Lord too loudly because it would be like salt in the wound of those hurting around me. But when the enemy speaks, it is usually a bit of truth that has been twisted and corrupted into a thief’s manipulative lie.
It would be bad if I made an idol out of this vehicle. If I showed IT off like it was the solution, like it was the thing worth celebrating. But if I used this opportunity to see the blessings that the people around me have been and honor them — and if I used this opportunity to praise God and celebrate His faithfulness, it could be an encouragement instead of a source for envy, jealousy, or pain.
Even though she was dealing with a difficult challenge, my cousin (Hillary Brackins) encouraged me by saying that “sharing in others’ joy brings me joy and takes my mind off things.”
Lord, help us to celebrate by giving you thanks and telling everyone about the wonderful things you have done and about the people through whom we have seen your love and your favor shown to us. Help us to see past even the wonderful blessings and not let the blessings distract from our giving thanks to “the one from whom all blessings flow”. Help us to be a blessing to others and for our rejoicing to not be an annoying noise to others but an encouragement. Help us love each other well. Amen.
1 Chronicles 16:8-24 NLT
[8] Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. [9] Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. [10] Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord. [11] Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. [12] Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, [13] you children of his servant Israel, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones. [14] He is the Lord our God. His justice is seen throughout the land. [15] Remember his covenant forever— the commitment he made to a thousand generations. [16] This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac. [17] He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, and to the people of Israel as a never-ending covenant: [18] “I will give you the land of Canaan as your special possession.” [19] He said this when you were few in number, a tiny group of strangers in Canaan. [20] They wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. [21] Yet he did not let anyone oppress them. He warned kings on their behalf: [22] “Do not touch my chosen people, and do not hurt my prophets.” [23] Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. [24] Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
Harold J. Ballinger 
Harold, rejoicing with you in finding a replacement for your stolen truck. God provides for us, in all of our needs. Hallelujah! What he does for one, he will do for another. God is good and his mercies endure forever!
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