Gracious Gladness

 “You have put gladness in my heart, More than in the season that their grain and wine increased. I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:7-8 NKJV

Wishes are not horses. Otherwise, the prosperity with grains and wine would have translated into peace and safety for all human endeavours. Money, position, and fame can authorize goods; but it cannot guarantee gladness. Informed by his experience in the palace of king Saul, while dealing with the disturbing evil spirit of his master through the use of inspired music from the Lord, the shepherd boy quite understood the limitations of material prosperity, position, and popularity. Like it happened to king Saul in his discouraging pursuit of David‘s destruction, these metrics of intelligence, influence and affluence sometimes increase the level of insecurity of those whose confidence is built on materialism. As we reflect on this passing year, can we thoughtfully confess before the Lord “You have put gladness in my heart“? Or perhaps, are we remorseful and disappointed by the height of insecurity in our intelligence, influence, and affluence? Whatever the score of our sincere assessment, it is always great to acknowledge (while yet we may) the fact that God is the only source of our gracious gladness; and His peace and safety come only to those who accept Him as their sufficient Sun and Shield.


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