Dugout Devotions | J-O-Y
Baseball and softball seasons are here which means it is time for another season of Dugout Devotions. Be sure to share this devotion with your favorite player, coach, or team.
Psalm 126
1 When the Lord srestored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
2 Then our umouth 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.”
3 The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.
4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Ask: What’s a three-letter word that can change your whole day?
Encourage responses.
Say: You probably already know what it is: joy. We read about it in the psalm, and I bet you've all felt it at one point or another. Joy is the feeling that makes everything feel lighter and brighter. Maybe it’s a great game, time with friends, or something simple like petting a dog. But joy, real joy, isn’t just about what makes us happy—it’s something deeper, something that fills us up and pours out to everyone around us.
Ask: What brings you joy?
Encourage as many responses as possible.
Say: Here’s the thing—joy isn’t meant to be a solo act. Just like we celebrate worship with our church family or play sports with a team, joy is something that’s shared. It shoots out of us and spreads to the people around us. And guess what? When we feel that joy, God’s right there with us, celebrating with us. Even when it seems like it’s just you and your dog or you and your video game, God’s presence is part of that joy.
Let’s take it to the next level: Joy is more than just happiness. It’s God with us in every moment. When we experience joy, we’re reflecting something that God has given us. And when we share that joy with others, we show them a piece of His love and goodness. So next time you feel joy—whether it’s something big or small—remember that God is with you, cheering you on and helping that joy shine even brighter. And when you’re out there, make sure that joy you’re feeling isn’t just kept to yourself. Spread it! Tell others about what makes you joyful, and watch as their joy grows, too.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for Joy! Thank you for never allowing me to experience Joy by myself. Help my Joy be infectious so that other people will be filled with Joy through me and through you. Thank you for loving me and we’ll talk to you later. Amen.