Morning, July 2
Go To Evening Reading
“Our heart shall rejoice in Him.”
Psalm 33:21
Blessed is the fact that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest
distress; although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and,
like many birds, they sing best in their cages. The waves may roll
over them, but their souls soon rise to the surface and see the light
of God’s countenance; they have a buoyancy about them which keeps their head
always above the water, and helps them to sing amid the tempest, “God is with me still.” To whom shall the glory be given? Oh! to Jesus—it is all by Jesus. Trouble does not necessarily bring consolation
with it to the believer, but the presence of the Son of God in the
fiery furnace with him fills his heart with joy. He is sick and suffering,
but Jesus visits him and makes his bed for him. He is dying, and the
cold chilly waters of Jordan are gathering about him up to the neck,
but Jesus puts His arms around him, and cries, “Fear not, beloved; to die is to be blessed; the waters of death have
their fountain-head in heaven; they are not bitter, they are sweet
as nectar, for they flow from the throne of God.” As the departing saint wades through the stream, and the billows
gather around him, and heart and flesh fail him, the same voice sounds
in his ears, “Fear not; I am with thee; be not dismayed; I am thy God.” As he nears the borders of the infinite unknown, and is almost affrighted
to enter the realm of shades, Jesus says, “Fear not, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Thus strengthened and consoled, the believer is not afraid to die;
nay, he is even willing to depart, for since he has seen Jesus as
the morning star, he longs to gaze upon Him as the sun in his strength.
Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire. He is at
once
“The glory of our brightest days;
The comfort of our nights.”