JUNE 9

Serve the Lord with gladness.
(Psalm 100:2)

Finding joy in serving God is a sign of true acceptance. Those who serve Him with a sad demeanor, performing tasks they dislike, are not genuinely serving Him. While they may outwardly show loyalty, their hearts are not involved. Our God does not want servants who feel like slaves; He is a God of love and desires His followers to serve with joy.

The angels of God sing in their service, and any murmurs or sighs would be seen as rebellion in their ranks. Obedience that is not voluntary is, in fact, disobedience. The Lord looks at our hearts, and if He perceives that we serve Him out of obligation rather than love, He will reject our offerings.

Service accompanied by cheerfulness is true heart service. Remove joy and willingness from a follower of Christ, and you take away the measure of their sincerity. A soldier who is forced to fight cannot be called a patriot; it is the one who marches into battle with enthusiasm and determination, proclaiming, “It is sweet to die for one’s country,” who demonstrates genuine patriotism.

Cheerfulness strengthens us; in the joy of the Lord, we find our strength. It helps us overcome difficulties. Just as oil is essential for the smooth operation of a railway carriage, holy cheerfulness is vital in our service to God. Without it, our spirits can become weighed down by weariness.

A person who serves God with a cheerful heart proves that obedience is their natural state. They can joyfully sing,

Make me to walk in Your commands, It’s a delightful road.

Dear reader, let us ask ourselves—do you serve the Lord with gladness? Let us show the world, which views our faith as slavery, that our relationship with God is a source of delight and joy! Let our gladness be a testament to the fact that we serve a wonderful Master.