MONDAY MEDITATION: Happiness During a Pandemic (July 13, 2020)

Praise God in his mighty acts! Praise God as suits his incredible greatness!…Let every living thing praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! – Psalm 150:2,6

Probably most of us wish we could have a mulligan, a do-over, for 2020. COVID-19. Racism. Bitter politics. National division. Shaky economy.

Other than that, it’s been a great year.

We don’t know when the psalmist wrote Psalm 150. It could have been during one of those rare times when Israel lived in peace. More likely, though, it was during a pandemic-like period stemming from things like famine or imminent war.

Regardless, and unconditionally, this last Hebrew song says we need to “halal” God. That’s the root of hallelujah, meaning to boast loudly of what Yahweh has done. Let there be no expense spared in doing so. Crank up the whole band, reflecting the seven instruments the psalmist lists between verses two and six.

I don’t think this songwriter was an overly optimistic type, nor was he the delusionally put-on-a-happy face type. Rather, he was the faithfully realistic type. He knew that enduring happiness rests not in having your dreams come true or in having a stress-free lifestyle. Rather, it comes from having the grace to regularly take stock of God’s “mighty acts.”

What are those mighty acts?

Creating you in your mother’s womb? Breathing life into your lungs? Giving you an amazing miracle-machine body? Surrounding you with the awesome beauty of maples, jonquils, cardinals, fox squirrels, Milky Ways? Providing a mother’s touch, a lover’s embrace, a friend’s laughter?

Maybe happiness resides in the ability to see things in context and within a broader timeline and picture. We’re each given a brief chance to live in an awe-struck world. Given is the operative word. Nothing earned by us.

Even in a pandemic we can boast of God’s mighty acts.

Which come to mind for you?

12 thoughts on “MONDAY MEDITATION: Happiness During a Pandemic (July 13, 2020)”

  1. Amen, Greg! I might add to the list: home made bread; grandchildren who come over to spend time with us; driving with the top down as relief from cabin fever; ‘over the fence’ visits with neighbors.

    Reply
  2. Good books,uninterrupted time for whatever, like Bill, grandchildren and children. Zoom, television. Flowers and weeds, Friends, your blog . I won’t go on but life still pretty good.

    Reply
  3. Love this, Pastor Greg! Mine were the crispness and clarity of the air, the different
    species of birds at our feeder, driving the Great River Road and passing only 3 cars,
    Homemade banana bread, and just enjoying my husband and my home. I will never
    forget these times. Hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy!

    Reply
  4. Greg,
    So many things to be thankful for. Enjoy your blogs. Keep it up! Sometimes I think we are in stormy seas without a rudder.
    Only thru God can we reach calmer waters.
    God Bless,
    Randy

    Reply

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