Morning Devotional

April 1, 2005
"April Fool's Day" 
    by Don Emmitte

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It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by the harp and lute and the harmony of the lyre. You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O LORD, what great miracles you do! And how deep are your thoughts. Only an ignorant person would not know this! Only a fool would not understand it. (Psalm 92:1-6 NLT).

Unlike most of the other non-foolish holidays, the history of April Fool's Day, sometimes called All Fool's Day, is not totally clear. There really wasn't a "first April Fool's Day" that can be pinpointed on the calendar. Some believe it sort of evolved simultaneously in several cultures at the same time, from celebrations involving the first day of spring. The closest point in time that can be identified as the beginning of this tradition was in 1582, in France. Prior to that year, the New Year was celebrated for eight days, beginning on March 25th. The celebration culminated on April 1st. With the reform of the calendar under Charles IX, the Gregorian calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved to January 1st. However, communications being what they were in the days when news traveled by foot, many people did not receive the news for several years. Others, the more obstinate crowd, refused to accept the new calendar and continued to celebrate the New Year on April 1st. The general populace labeled these “backward folk” as fools. They were subject to some ridicule, and were often sent on "fool’s errands" or were made the butt of other practical jokes.

It seems incredulous that anyone would remain so entrenched in their tradition to suffer the rebuff of others at being “fools.” Yet, the psalmist reminds us that when we refuse to rest in the knowledge and wisdom of God, we are no more than fools. To fail to recognize the wonder of God is the pattern of a fool.

It is easy to deny any such action with a quick retort that you would never do that! But think for a moment. Every instruction of the Scripture is given to us so that we might change our behavior to bring us happiness and success. Yet, when we fail to find that victory, we often look to our own decisions last. Don’t misunderstand. I am not saying that the bad things that happen to us are always our fault. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people with no connection to themselves. However, when things are not going well for you, examine your choices. If you have contributed to the problem, change your direction. Commit yourself to follow the Lord’s direction in your life.

The fool has failed to realize that they have the power to overcome any obstacle in their life with God’s presence within them. Nothing is too great for him. Trust in him and watch the change in your life.