David declared, “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and wine increased.” Have you noticed a real absence of genuine gladness in God’s people lately? When preparing to come to church on Sunday, or at any other time, do you proclaim, “I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord’”?
I’m amazed how much place is given in Scripture to the words glad, gladness, and gladly. Check it out for yourself! When Jesus ministered on earth, “the common people heard Him gladly.” After Peter’s message in Acts 2:14-40, some “gladly received his word” and were baptized. The apostle Paul, having experienced the grace of Christ in his life, could even “most gladly…boast in (his) infirmities”! The very gospel itself brings “glad tidings of good things!” How true the proverb, “The hope of the righteous shall be gladness.”
Now, don’t misunderstand me; I realize the difficulties that we all deal with in this life. Life has its share of sorrows and disappointments for sure, but the gospel of Christ says a lot about “the good things to come” to urge us on.
We must determine to be “glad in the Lord.” We are told to “serve the Lord with gladness”. In fact, the heavens and the earth are commanded to be glad.
May “the oil of gladness” that was upon Christ Himself be poured out upon you this week as you walk uprightly before Him. When you see the grace that God has poured into your life today, look up to Him and be glad.
Scripture references: Psalm 4:7; Psalm 122:1; Mark 12:37; Acts 2:41; 2 Cor 12:9; Rom 10:15; Prov 10:28; Heb 9:11, 1 Cor 2:9; Psalm 104:34; Psalm 100:2; 1 Chron 16:31, Psalm 96:11; Psalm 45:7, Heb 1:9; Psalm 97:11; Acts 11:23
