Daily Devotional for July 19, 2022

To understand today’s devotional, I need to explain.
 
When I was in the army, the highest compliment my troop commander ever gave was, “You’ve done marginally adequate.”  Whenever he said that, it meant you had hit it out of the park, exceeded his high expectations, and were getting an extraordinary compliment.
 
Now to today’s devotional.  It involves text messages from Sunday afternoon between Gary and me.
 
I texted: “I was glad to see y’all at church today.  I needed a Christian there, so I was really happy to see Brenda came.  Also, you don’t have to tell me how great the sermon was.  I know.”
 
Gary texted back: “I wasn’t paying attention.  Did you preach today?  I was deep in prayer.”
 
I responded: “You need to be in deep prayer.  Also, trust me.  The sermon was so good the angels cried.  You’re welcome.”
 
Gary responded: “You are marginally adequate.  Brenda said the sermon was good.  I actually use the marginally adequate thing quite a bit.  People are always confused so I explain it to them.”
 
Yes, believe it or not, Gary is my friend.
 
Never take yourself too seriously.  What’s the point to life if you never laugh or joke?  That would make for a very dry, uninspiring world devoid of joy.  God has something different in mind. 
 
When Sarah, in her very advanced years, gives birth to her only child, in celebration she says, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.”  (Genesis 21:6)
 
Abraham named this little boy, Isaac, which means laughter.
 
My hope for you is laughter works its beautiful way into your life today.  It is wonderful medicine.  That’s why the wisest of all people said, “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.”  (Proverbs 17:22)
 
Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, please use me to fill someone’s heart with joy and mouth with laughter.  Use me to help others celebrate your goodness.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.
 
God wants you to celebrate.  I hope you can.
 
Also, with friends like mine, who needs enemies?
 
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins