Rejoicing despite suffering

Send your light and your truth;
may they lead me
and bring me back to Zion, your sacred hill,
and to your Temple, where you live.
Then I will go to your altar, O God;
you are the source of my happiness.
I will play my harp and sing praise to you,
O God, my God. (verses 3,4)

Read Psalm 43

Isn’t it amazing how in times of trouble we turn to the psalms?

As a young child I can remember waking during the night to hear my grandfather reading the psalms out loud. He was not a well man, and the psalms were a special comfort to both of my grandparents. Perhaps that’s why still today I have the same love of the psalms.

After suffering comes rejoicing. When we trust God to guide us, then we will sing praises to him, as he is the source of true happiness. This is so hard to do when life is difficult. It feels as if the light has gone out. But God promises to be with us even in these times.

Dear God, help me always remember that after sorrow comes joy. Help me to praise you even when I feel forgotten and alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

by Mary Heuschele, in ‘Assurance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2004)

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