Tuesday, December
24, 2024
JOY IN THE MIDST OF SORROW
John 16:21-22
21 A woman when
she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is
delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man
is born into the world.
22 And ye now
therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice,
and your joy no man taketh from you.
During America’s Civil War,
Henry W. Longfellow penned the words to “I heard the bells on Christmas Day.”
In this classic hymn Longfellow acknowledges the frustration and depression
that often accompanies the glitter and glamour of the season. The fourth stanza
talks of his despair, but he finishes with triumph of the spirit.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I heard the
bells on Christmas day
Their old
familiar carols play,
And wild and
sweet the words repeat
Of peace on
earth, good will to men.
And thought
how, as the day had come,
The belfries
of all Christendom
Had rolled
along the unbroken song
Of peace on
earth, good will to men.
Till
ringing, singing on its way
The world
revolved from night to day,
A voice, a
chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on
earth, good will to men.
And in
despair I bowed my head
"There
is no peace on earth," I said,
"For
hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on
earth, good will to men."
Then pealed
the bells more loud and deep:
"God is
not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong
shall fail, the right prevail
With peace
on earth, good will to men."
It is a great encouragement to know that God is not disgusted with our periods of
depression. He does not blame us for our fainting and moves quickly to our aid.
Ps
22:24
24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of
the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto
him, he heard.
Dear Lord, thank you for always showing up on time. Thank
you for understanding our troubled hearts in these troubled times. Thank you
for the triumph of our spirits by your own Spirit. AMEN
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