8月14日
常常喜乐
你们要靠主常常喜乐。我再说，你们要喜乐。
腓立比书4:4
著名歌手、诗人法瑞尔·威廉姆斯（Pharrell Williams）在他一首流行的歌曲《快乐》中这样唱到：“坏消息满天飞，说这说那。好吧，尽管一吐为快，不要犹豫，因为我很快乐。” 为什么面对那艰难的挑战他不退缩？即使传来那面目狰狞的坏消息，他怎么还能说自己快乐呢？当人在沮丧、痛苦的时候，还有可能快乐得起来吗？
不管法瑞尔·威廉姆斯是否有意在他歌中这样唱，他触及了一个圣经的教导。耶稣的第一批门徒也都知道，就是无论环境如何恶劣，都要坚定站立，满怀喜乐。 即使在最深的黑夜，耶稣也会将一线光明注入你的内心。不管我们身处怎样的环境，上帝都会使我们充满喜乐。
今日祷告：
亲爱的耶稣，愿你的喜乐穿透一切屏障进入我心。我需要你的光照和生命。让我的内心充满欢笑。阿们。
August 14
Happy
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
PHILIPPIANS 4:4
In his hit song “Happy,” the pop poet Pharrell Williams sings, “Here come bad news talking this and that. Yeah, give me all you got, don’t hold back, because I’m happy.” How could he challenge hardship to not hold back? And how could he say he was happy even as bad news talked smack to his face? Is it possible for humanity to glimpse joy even in the midst of frustration and suffering?
Pharrell Williams, whether he intended to or not, touched on an old idea, one that the first followers of Jesus knew well. No matter what circumstances people find themselves in, whether dire or dry or dreaded, Jesus emboldens them to stand strongly with a remarkable joy. People who had been enfolded in the deepest darkness find in Jesus an infusion of light that lifts the heart. God truly does make us joyful despite our circumstances.
Pray for the Day:
Dear Jesus, let your joy pierce the shroud around me. I need your light and life. Let my heart smile wider and wider and wider today. Amen.
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