Being Joyful Always

You might remember one of the memory verses from this summer from I Thessalonians 5:16-18.  "Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances..."  If you read the reading this week from Psalm 105:1-5 you may have noticed similarities.  All three elements (joy, prayer, and thanks) are present in these verses as well.  The Psalmist tells us in v. 1& 5 to "give thanks to the LORD" and "remember the wondrous works that he has done".  In v. 3 we are told, "let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!" - rejoice being another word for be joyful.  Lastly in v. 4 we are given the key to being joyful.  "Seek the LORD...seek his presence continually."  We can be in God's presence through prayer.  In fact that is what prayer is, practicing the presence of God.  I invite you today to be joyful, to be grateful, and to do this by seeking God's presence in prayer.