“Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalms 100:2)

The saint who’s cheerful in his service of God, proves that obedience is natural to him, and worship is a pleasure. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:7-8). 

 But there will be times when your obedience will be only because you know it’s God’s will, despite your personal preference. The best example of this is when our Lord asked His Father for a way to avoid the cross. “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will’" (Matthew 26:39). 

 Delight in divine service is the best evidence the saint is not only living for God but from God. If, you only serve God with a form of religion with no divine power (2 Timothy 3:5), it’s either proof you were never saved or you’ve forgotten He’s cleansed you from your old sins (2 Peter 1:9). . God doesn’t want you to serve Him grudgingly. “Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God” (Ephesians 5:18-20). Cheerfulness is what keeps us going and the joy of the Lord is our strength. 

 We should ask ourselves, “do I serve the Lord with cheerfulness”? Saints should be witnesses that serving God isn’t drudgery, but a delight and a joy! Let’s show by our cheerfulness that we serve a good Master.