Joy is Coming

Today’s Scripture is Psalm 30: verse 5.

“Weeping may last the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Life is full of ups and downs. We all go through times when things seem dark, when the weight of sorrow feels almost too much to bear. This verse reminds us that these moments of sorrow are temporary. No matter how tough things get, there is always hope on the horizon.

Sorrow and pain might last for a time, but God promises that joy will follow. It’s like the night and the day. Night may seem long and dark, but eventually, the sun will rise, bringing light and warmth. One writer once said, “Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.” This quote captures the hope that Psalm 30 offers us.

God’s joy is like the sunrise after a long, dark night. It’s a promise that the sadness we feel now will give way to happiness and peace. Even if the night endures all your life, God still assures us that joy will be our final reward. A million years from now we will hardly feel our old sorrow.

So, hold on to this hope. When life feels overwhelming, remember that God’s joy is coming.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Knowing What to Do

Our Scripture today is Acts 27:23-25

Standing on a ship, in the middle of a storm, Paul spoke to scared sailors. He said, “Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.” 

In 1939, the Nazis were invading the Netherlands. The first people to be affected were the Jews who lived in the Netherlands. A group of Christians came to the Dutch theologian, Henry Cramer, and told him, “Our Jewish neighbors are missing from their homes.” They then asked, “What must we do?”

 Cramer answered, “I cannot tell you what to do. I can tell you who you are. If you know who you are then you will know what to do.”

Listen to those words again, “If you know who you are, then you will know what to do.” 

When Satan sends temptations, you do not need to ask what to do. You only need to remember who you are.

Paul said, “I know who I am and whose I am.” Since he knew these things, he knew what to do. So should we, always!

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Help Me, I’ve Fallen

Today’s Scripture is Ecclesiastes 4: verses 9 and 10.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.”

Life is often filled with challenges, and it is during these moments that the importance of companionship becomes clear. This verse from Ecclesiastes reminds us that having someone by our side can make all the difference. When we stumble or face difficulties, a true friend is there to help us get back on our feet. 

Walter Winchell said it well, ”A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” A real friend or companion doesn’t abandon us when times get tough; instead, they step in to offer support and encouragement. They help us do what we can’t do alone. This kind of companionship is a gift from God and a reflection of His love for us.

God created us to live in a community where we can support and uplift each other. In doing so, we fulfill a deep need for connection and reflect the love of Christ in our lives.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Putting Things Off

Today’s Scripture is Ecclesiastes 11:4.

“He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.”

In this verse, we find a caution against procrastination. The imagery of watching the wind and observing the clouds speaks to those who are constantly waiting for the perfect conditions to act. However, waiting for the “right” moment often leads to missed opportunities. If we delay too long, we may never take the necessary steps to sow and reap the rewards that God has in store for us.

Procrastination is a subtle thief. It convinces us that tomorrow will be a better day to start, but tomorrow often never comes. Walt Disney wisely said, “The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” This quote reminds us that action is the key to progress. We must not let fear of the unknown or the desire for perfect conditions keep us from moving forward. God calls us to act in faith, trusting that He will guide our steps even when the path isn’t entirely clear.

So, let us be people of action, sowing and reaping in God’s timing, not our own. 

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

The Good Old Days?

Today’s Scripture is Ecclesiastes 7:10.
“Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is unwise of you to ask about this.”

This verse reminds us not to fall into the trap of thinking that the past is better than the present. It’s easy to look back with rose-colored glasses, especially when we face challenges today. But God calls us to find contentment in every season of life. Each moment we live has its purpose, and comparing it to the past can rob us of the peace and joy we can experience right now.

Contentment isn’t about having everything we want. It’s about appreciating what we have been given and trusting that God’s plan for us is good, even when the days are tough. As Socrates wisely said, “He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” If we can learn to be satisfied with what we have today, we can live in the fullness of God’s blessings.

God is with us in every moment, past, present, and future.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

The Veiled Future

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 5:20:

“For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.”

As I reflect on this verse, it becomes clear that it carries a profound truth that touches us all: God, in His mercy, shields us from knowing too much about the future. If we were aware of the tragedies that might come tomorrow, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy today. God keeps us focused on the joys of the present, so we won’t be consumed with anxiety about what might happen tomorrow.

As one author wrote, “The hand that veils the future is the hand of mercy.”

We often think we want to know what tomorrow holds, but do we really? It’s comforting to anticipate joyful events—a birthday, a family gathering, or a weekend with friends. But would we want to know if heartache or disaster awaited us next week? Probably not. God, in His wisdom, keeps us busy with today’s blessings, sparing us from the burden of foreseeing all our tomorrows. Indeed, “The hand that veils the future is the hand of mercy.”

As Psalm 118:24 reminds us, “This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

I Promise to God

Honest to God

Ecclesiastes 5:6

“Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?”

Verses four and five make it plain that this verse refers to keeping our word to God.

Years ago, I heard the story of a rich man riding on an airplane caught in turbulence. It grew so rough that the rich man finally prayed, “Lord, if you let me land safely, I will give you half of everything I have.”

In time, the plane landed. A preacher who had been behind him said to him, “I heard your prayer. As a preacher, I am here to collect.”

The rich man responded, “I guess you didn’t hear the rest of what I promised. I told Him that if He ever caught me on another plane, He could have it all.”

You could call that a promise to God that wasn’t kept, but that triviliazes the real meaning of this text.

The real meaning is that we ought to be honest with God. When we pledge to Him, we should keep it.

We pledge our hearts to God.

We pledge to serve Him.

We pledge to live as an example.

We pledge to trust Him.

We pledge to pray faithfully.

We pledge to worship faithfully.

Whenever, whatever, we pledge to God, — be honest to God.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.

Work, Work, Work.

Today’s Scripture is Ecclesiastes 5: verse 3.
“For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice through many words.”

This verse provides insight into the nature of achieving dreams and the pitfalls of idle chatter. Dreams do not materialize out of thin air; they are the result of sustained effort and hard work. This is what Thomas Edison meant when he said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.”

Behind every seemingly effortless achievement lies a vast amount of unseen effort. Another old saying is, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

In contrast, the second part of the verse warns us about the emptiness of speaking without action. It is easy to talk about big dreams and plans, but without the diligence to act upon those words, they remain just that—words. This teaches us a valuable lesson about the importance of backing our words with actions.

Whether we’re pursuing personal goals, career advancements, or spiritual growth, the principle of diligence applies. We must put forth genuine effort in all we do. Remember, dreams are realized not merely by what we say, but through our persistent actions.

I’m Lonnie Davis, and this is a thought worth thinking.

Wisdom’s Family Ties

Our Scripture for today is Proverbs 29:3.

“Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.”

If I were to give a title to this verse, it would be “Wisdom’s Family Ties.” Anyone who says, “It’s my life and I will do what I want,” is certainly not wise. A wise person blesses all who love him or her. Wisdom is a heartfelt commitment to living rightly, and it brings joy and pride to the hearts of those who love us.

According to this verse, when we embrace wisdom, we build a legacy of integrity and honor that our families will be proud of. This is especially significant for parents, who often carry hopes and dreams for their children’s success and moral standing.

A wise child reflects the values instilled in them, bringing joy and fulfillment to their parents’ hearts. Conversely, rejecting wisdom for momentary pleasures can lead to loss and disappointment, casting a shadow over the family’s legacy.

Therefore, embracing wisdom is also about honoring our loved ones by living a life that upholds and reflects the values they cherish. Romans 14:7 makes this clear: “No man lives to himself, and no man dies to himself.”

I’m Lonnie Davis and this is a thought worth thinking.

The Words of A Fool

Our reading today is Psalms 14:1.

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'”

Actually it is only the first sentence of the verse, but as important as all of the verse is, I did not want you to get lost in more than these words.

This opening line from Psalms 14 confronts us with a stark reality: the denial of God is not rooted in intellect but in a heart disconnected from truth.

When we disregard God’s presence, we cut ourselves off from his wisdom, purpose, and the moral foundation that guides our lives. It’s easy to overlook God in the busyness of life, but this verse urges us to pause and reflect—are we that fool?

Some say out loud that there is no God. Others won’t say it out loud but live as if God doesn’t exist.

The truth of this sentence challenges us to examine our own hearts and align them with the reality of God’s existence.

I’m Lonnie Davis and these are thoughts worth thinking.