The goodness, the hope, and the joy of God

Tonight we just finished having "Girls Night In," an evening where several girls from our church come over for fellowship, food, and a flick: in tonight's case, The Sound of Music. We had fun, talked, and--of course--sang along to the movie. There are some very neat, very special girls at our church, and I'm honored to know each of them.

I have to say that God is good. Isn't it amazing how we can know something, and still be surprised by it anew every day? The Lord blessed me with reminders of his goodness today. He has, for today, lifted the depression I had faced the last several days. Tomorrow may be even better, and if so, I will praise God. But even if not, even if tomorrow is worse, I will also praise God. For how can we not rejoice? Even in the darkest times, we have the promise of hope and glorious joy that awaits us. Many people don't. I am thankful for the God of Hope. He is good.

Life can be difficult. Sometimes the enemy comes like a flood. But then is the time to prove our faith and live our songs. A day or two ago when everything was feeling more than usually impossible I opened on Psalm 40 with its new song. 'He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise.' How like Him it is to 'put' it there. We couldn't find it for oursleves, so He puts it. And when He puts it we can sing it.

This morning Psalm 70:4 spoke to me. 'Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee.' That's not just a holy aspiration, it's a command. And He who commands enables. Let all those who seek the Lord rejoice, today, every day. Joy is to be the keynote of our lives. He calls us then to make an act of faith every time we would naturally be pulled down into the pit of joylessness, for there is an end set to the sin and sorrow and conufsion of the world as well as to our own private trials. We only see today. He whom we worship sees tomorrow.

Joy, not suffering, is eternal.

-Excerpts from Candles in the Dark
by Amy Carmichael