SHOUT FOR JOY
“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” Psalm 32:11
Is the Christian life free from hardships and struggles? Are we exempt from trials and temptations? We all know the obvious answer to these questions. Surely, we will walk through difficult times and have burdens that we must bear. However, the benefits of being saved far outweigh any incidental sorrows that we might suffer because we belong to Jesus Christ. In fact, the worst day we might endure is better than any day we had before we were saved.
Our sins are forgiven. God is our Father. Jesus is our Friend. The Holy Spirit is our ever-present Comforter and Teacher. The Word of God is our guide. The family of God is our kin. The past with its sin is far behind us. The future is as bright as the promises of God. The world is no longer our home. We are looking for a city whose builder and maker is God. We will never experience the horrors of hell. We have been given eternal life. Jesus is presently building our mansions. We are not condemned. We have been justified, pardoned by the eternal Judge.
The Holy Spirit of God is leading us. God has gifted and uniquely equipped each of us to serve Him. We have a story to tell the nations. He will never leave us nor forsake us. We have peace in our souls. The cross is our victory. The empty tomb is our assurance. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We can do all things through Christ, which strengthens us. If God be for us, who can be against us?
We are accepted in the Beloved. Our names are written in Heaven. We are kings and priests unto God. Jesus is interceding for us. We are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We are saints of God. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. We are more than conquerors through Him. The Eternal God is our refuge and our hiding place. With boldness we can enter into His presence in prayer. We are new creatures in Christ.
He daily loads us with benefits. Our lives are hid with Christ in God. Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Everything is working together for our good. Certainly, we have our share of problems, but how fortunate we are! By faith, we can rejoice in Him. We can “shout for joy” when we count our blessings.