September 1, 2019

   And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away (Isa. 35:10).
 
    The prophet caught the sound of music there, and song, such music and song as, save in the vision of God, no mortal ear has heard or mind conceived" (Prophets and Kings, p. 730).  It's a song of salvation, for the ransomed sing it.  It's a song of homecoming, for they are in Zion at last.  It's a song of joy, for sorrow and sighing and every cause of them are forever gone.  Your sorrow, friend, may be deep, inexpressible to others, but you shall have joy and gladness.  Your sorrow will be gone.  Your sighing will be gone.  This is just as certain as tomorrow's sunrise, for both are based on God's promises.
 
    The victors in the Olympic Games considered a crown of wild olive or laurel more honorable than a golden diadem.  Think of the crown of these victors, the ransomed of the Lord.  Their reward is eternal, a crown of everlasting joy, a crown that never fades, never grows heavy.
 
    In spite of sorrow and sighing here in this old earth, we may look forward with optimism to the new earth with its joy and gladness, toward which God is constantly guiding our lives.
 
                                My life is but the weaving
                                        Between my God and me.
                                I only choose the colors
                                        He weaveth steadily.
                                Sometimes He weaveth sorrow
                                        And I in foolish pride,
                                Forget He sees the upper
                                        And I the under side.
 
    And every day God is planning for us the great future, the joy, the gladness, which we may not now see.
 
 
MEDITATION PRAYER:  "Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice" (Ps. 51:8).