Psalm 98:8
Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the Lord.
Psalm 98:8 is a beautiful and poetic description of nature praising and rejoicing in the glory of God. The verse evokes a sense of celebration and exaltation, as though all of God’s creation is coming together in worship and praise. Praise is not limited to humans singing; there is a sense of joy woven into God’s creation all around us.
A sunrise, a cool breeze, the warmth of the noon sun, a conversation with someone we love, joyful laughter with friends, small milestones we achieve, or something as simple as experiencing another day can all be reasons to pause and be grateful. Yet, in our everyday lives, we often become so consumed by our worries, responsibilities, and plans that we forget to notice the simple things that bring us joy.
We are constantly looking ahead to our next promotion, the next notification on our phones, the next achievement, or the next big miracle. Somewhere along the way, we have trained our minds to believe, “If this happens, then I will be happy.” In doing so, we miss the beautiful blessings already present in our lives.
The rivers and hills do not wait for a perfect moment to rejoice. They simply reflect the glory of their Creator. That is something meaningful for us to learn from them.
Today, take a moment to step away from the noise and notice what is around you. Look for something beautiful, something peaceful, or something that makes you smile.
Joy does not always come when life becomes perfect. Sometimes, joy begins when we pause long enough to notice what is already good.
