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God Commends Eating, Drinking, and Gladness. Let’s Comply!

So, I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sunEccles. 8:15

Gracious Father, the past several weeks have been challenging, draining, and exhausting. As your beloved daughters and sons, we each have our own reasons why that’s the case. Thank you for understanding our frailties and our need for refreshment, as reflected in this one verse.

If you never commanded Sabbath rest, we probably wouldn’t take it.  And if you never commended the enjoyment of life, we’d go to the extremes of either taking simple joys for granted, or worshiping pleasure altogether.

So today, we’re slowing down enough just to say thank you. Thank you for designing us for pleasure and delight. Thank you for putting nerve endings, taste buds, and aesthetic wiring in our bodies. Thank you for intending that joy would be our traveling companion all our days under the sun—including the messy, stormy, and disappointing days.

Personally, I praise you this Saturday for the aroma that fills my favorite bakery, and the taste and texture of pistachio gelato. Thank you for a Yorkie that smiles, and grandsons that are joy-factories. Bless you for hint-of-fall days, painted with rich blue skies; for college football and afternoon naps; for reconnection with old friends, and out-of-the-blue evidence you’re at work for our good.

I’m glad you made the sound of waves crashing on the shore, and the harmonies of string quartets, the Beach Boys, acapella choirs, and the Eagles. Thank you for deer walking through my yard and the promise of sufficient grace; and the phrase “I am so sorry,” echoed with, “I forgive you.”

Father, our ongoing work under the blazing sun has meaning because of the finished work of your beloved Son. Because the gospel is true, we can glorify you now and enjoy you forever. Hallelujah, what a Savior. Hallelujah, what a salvation. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ holy and loving name.

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