Rejoicing in the Lord
Audio:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/n5MLk7OgY3o?list=PL4ByrircmXL7byOGrccow6FzaDRVol_C
Satan is exultant when he can lead the children of God into unbelief and despondency. He delights to see us mistrusting God, doubting His willingness and power to save us. He fills the imagination with false ideas concerning God; Many, walking along the path of life, dwell upon their mistakes and failures and disappointments, and their hearts are filled with grief and discouragement. Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare.
Christians who gather up gloom and sadness to their souls, and murmur and complain, are giving to others a false representation of God and the Christian life. They give the impression that God is not pleased to have His children happy, and in this they bear false witness against our heavenly Father.
Have there not been some bright spots in your experience? Have you not had some precious seasons when your heart throbbed with joy in response to the Spirit of God? When you look back into the chapters of your life experience do you not find some pleasant pages?
When we seem to doubt God's love and distrust His promises we dishonor Him and grieve His Holy Spirit. And yet how many, by their actions, if not in word, are saying, "The Lord does not mean this for me. Perhaps He loves others, but He does not love me." All this is harming your own soul; If God, the divine Artist, gives to the simple flowers that perish in a day their delicate and varied colors, how much greater care will He have for those who are created in His own image?.... and there is joy in heaven in the presence of God and the holy angels over one soul redeemed....
He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32