IN THY NAME. SHALL THEY REJOICE ALL THE DAY

 
DECEMBER 28.

 
In thy name shall they rejoice all the day.
Psalm 89:16

 
WE cannot rejoice in health, for it is often lost;
  in wealth, for we have it not;
  in wisdom, for we daily discover our folly;
  in our strength, for we are perfect weakness;
  in our worldly prospects, for they are often very gloomy; or
    in our experience, for it is often very dreary.
 
If therefore we rejoice,
  it must be in something without us,
    in something above us.
 
We may rejoice in God's name,
  especially as it is written out in the word of his grace,
  and illustrated in the life of his Son.
 
Here his nature is revealed,
  his purposes are made known, and
  provisions for our guilt, fears, and wants, is presented to us.
 
Here we have a warrant for faith,
  a foundation for hope, and
  an object of love.
 
Here is that in which we may rejoice all the day long,
  for it includes all we need,
  is calculated to prevent all we fear, and
    can never know a change.
 
Let us then fix our eye and our hearts upon God's mercy,
  and rejoice in it;
  in private, or in public;
  in prosperity, or and adversity;
    at home, and abroad.
 
Believers really have caused to be happy.
 
The cause of their happiness is always the same.
 
 

Salvation in that name is found,

Balm of my grief and care;

A medicine for my every wound,

All, all I want is there.

 
James Smith 1849