Daily Bread (Can We Rejoice?)

[shortlady]

Can We Rejoice?


Yet I will rejoice in the Lord . . . . The Lord God is my strength. —Habakkuk 3:18-19

I’ll never forget the question our Bible-study leader asked: “What do you fear would test your faith in God the most?” We were studying Habakkuk 3:17-18, where the prophet said that even if God sent suffering or loss, he would still rejoice.

As a single woman in my twenties, my answer was “I don’t know if I could stand the pain of losing my parents.” But I told God that day that even when they died I would rejoice in Him. I found out too soon that it’s easier said than done.

A month later, Dad learned he had heart disease and didn’t have long to live. He didn’t know Jesus as his Savior, so I begged God not to let him die without coming to know Him. Not only did he die that year, so did Mom, who was a believer. I didn’t know if my prayer for Dad was answered. I couldn’t rejoice; I wondered if God had even heard my prayer.

As I wrestled with Him about my questions, I experienced the Lord as my “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). I found hope in the truth that God, “the Judge of all the earth,” would do what was right by everyone (Genesis 18:25).

We can rejoice—when we are rejoicing in the Lord, our strong refuge and righteous Judge. —Anne Cetas

Why must I bear this pain? I cannot tell;
I only know my Lord does all things well.
And so I trust in God, my all in all,
For He will bring me through, whate’er befall. —Smith

God tries our faith so that we may try His faithfulness.

 

[stephen]

Sometimes a light surprises the Christian when he sings,
It is the Lord who rises with healing in his wings
When comforts are declining he grants the soul again
A season of clear shining to cheer it after rain

In holy contemplation we sweetly then pursue
The theme of Gods salvation and find it ever new
Set free from present sorrow we cheerfully can say
E'en let the unknown tomorrow bring withit what it may

It can bring with it nothing but he will bear us through
Who gives the lilies clothing will clothe his people too
Beneath the spreading heavens no creature but is fed
And he who feeds the ravens will give his children bread

Though vine nor fig tree neither their wonted fruit should bear
Though all the field shoud wither nor flocks nor herds be there
Yet God the same abiding his praise shall tune my voice
For while in him confiding I cannot but rejoice.

An old hymn which sums up our trust in Jesus.

Another one says "whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to know, It is well, it is well, with my soul"

Thankyou "shortlady" for your post on this subject....