Light Hearted Thought

As Riverside Church seeks its own logo, I thought I would slide in a little humor about the logo of our affiliated denomination -- the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America). Many of my fellow colleagues felt it strangely resembled the helmet of Hans Solo's bounty hunter. 

Its good to laugh. Not to laugh at others mind you, but to laugh with joy none the less. Proverbs 17:22 even states, "A joyful heart is good medicine." So, at what exactly may we laugh with joy?

Psalm 126:1-3 instructs us well. "When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.' The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad."This Psalm was written to promote joy in one's heart as they journeyed toward worship each Sabbath. It reminded the worshipper that there was once a day that they were unable to approach because of their exile in a foreign land, but now, by God's grace-filled deliverance, they were able to enjoy worship and fellowship with God in Jerusalem herself.

For us in Christ, the Good News is all the better. Before faith, Paul says, we were dead in sin and children of wrath. "BUT God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ -- by grace you have been saved" (Eph. 2:4-5). Did you hear that? We, the condemned, were not just pardoned, but saved! Jesus took our place on the cross of wrath so that we may have His place before the eternal throne of God. 

May the Lord, this May the fourth, once again bring joy and laughter to your own soul as we are reminded of the great salvation we have in Jesus Christ -- by faith alone. This is a joy worth sharing others, for the Lord has indeed done great things -- and we are glad.

Lord's blessing to you all!

Pastor David