His Joy's Gonna Be My Strength

At our last Living Worship evening(s), we did the song "Trading My Sorrows." I love the words of the verse. They come straight from 2 Corinthians 7:10.

"I'm pressed but not crushed, persecuted not abandoned, struck down but not destroyed; I am blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure, that His joy's gonna be my strength; though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning."

I just think it is so amazing that in whatever we go through, God is there with His children every step of the way. We are not abandoned or destroyed because our strength comes from God, who will help us through every struggle. A devotional written by Andrew Murray says this,

"The dangers we face are often very real and dark. The situation, whether in the temporal or spiritual life, may appear to be utterly hopeless. There is always one hope: God's eye is on us. That eye sees the danger, sees in tender love His trembling and waiting child, sees the moment when the heart is ripe for the blessing, and sees the way in which it is to come. The psalmist said, 'the eye of the Lord is in those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine' (Psalm 33:18-19). He does not say the Lord will prevent the danger of death and famine - this is often needed to stir up people to wait on Him. He says the Lord will deliver and keep alive. He walks with us through hardships and heartaches. Oh, the faithfulness of our God, who is a very present help in every time of trouble, a shield and defense against every danger. During the utmost spiritual famine, and when death appears to prevail, wait on God. He does deliver; He does keep alive."

(Pg. 66)

Hebrews 4:15 "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 2:17-18 "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God . . . "

I'm going to close this entry with a song by Selah.

"When I am down, and oh, my soul, so weary; when troubles come, and my heart burdened be; then I am still, and wait here in this silence, until You come and sit a while with me. You raise me up so I can stand on mountains, You raise me up to walk on stormy seas; I am strong when I am on Your shoulders, You raise me up to more than I can be."