What Jesus Did! 'Rejoice!' — Luke 1:57-58

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Yearly Bible Reading Plans

Read through the entire bible in 2026 with our free online and printable plans.

 See Plans
When it was time for Elizabeth's baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.
— Luke 1:57-58 NLT

Key Thought

So often today, it seems that those who do not receive joys and blessings are jealous, even critical, of those who do receive them. Isn't it wonderful that Elizabeth's neighbors weren't that way? We should follow their lead and rejoice with those who rejoice! In fact, even beyond the example of those who rejoiced with Elizabeth, we are instructed to rejoice with others. [1] Find things in your friends' lives for which you can honestly rejoice. Doing so makes their blessings a source of blessing for you, too!

[1] Romans 12:15 NIV.

Today's Prayer

Seems, dear God and Almighty Lord, that there is so much bad news these days. Sometimes, I don't seem to find the good in the things around me. Give me a heart that notices with the blessings of others and rejoices with them. Make that joy contagious. I ask for this grace in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Joy to the World!
Article by Phil Ware
With the birth of Jesus, we enter a gritty world that we know is our own. Phil Ware continues his series called When Spirit Becomes Flesh and he focuses on the grit and real world feel of the birth stories and also the joy that comes from Jesus' birth.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 1:57-58 NLT — When it was time for Elizabeth's baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, January 18, 2023

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'His Power Within Us!' (Ep. 3:20-21)
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Corinthians 5:17
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Song of Songs 1:4
"We will be glad and rejoice in thee. We will not open the gates of the year to the dolorous notes of the sackbut, but to the sweet strains of the harp..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Thomas Mann:
"Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!