“For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.” — Ps 33:21
Notice, he does not say “should“–although that is our responsibility, but “shall. That is more than resolve, it is reality. He does his duty regardless of circumstances. And he is quick to show us the reason– “because we have trusted in his holy name.” That’s what he did, but what about you? Spurgeon wrote:
“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 as 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 you! Do not be dismayed! I am your God.” As he nears the borders of the infinite unknown, and is almost affrighted to enter the realm of shadows, 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 and the comfort of our nights.”
