~Psalm 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
~Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all [ye that are] upright in heart.
My life before I repented and accepted the saving grace of Jesus Christ was one where I could only pretend to be “religious.” I knew way deep down in my heart that I was not where I should be but I ignored it. This belief was actually encouraged by my religious leaders. If I attended church, kept a good confession, and kept the sacraments, I was well on my way to Heaven. But I did not have the joy in my heart that the Psalmist expressed in today’s text. It was not until I saw my sin as God sees them and realized that there was nothing that I, personally, could do to get to Heaven. (Ephesians 2:8-9) It was all about Christ – all about His death, burial and resurrection – all about His precious shed blood on the cross that paid the penalty for my sin!
Once I understood this and repented of my wicked sin, the Holy Spirit came to dwell inside me and made me whole! Oh the joy that came into my heart! The burden of sin was removed and I was immediately set free! (Matthew 11:28-30) I no longer feel the heavy weight of religion upon my shoulders but now I am free!
I can rejoice with the Psalmist – I can be glad in the Lord and sing praises to His name!!! Psalm 32:11 says that the righteous should rejoice! There is no righteousness in me (Isaiah 64:6) but Christ’s righteousness is what covers me and we are the righteous that the Psalmist exhorts to be glad!! Jesus Christ is my justifier (‘just” as “if” “I” never sinned). It’s not anything that I’ve done but it’s everything that Christ the Saviour has done!
~Romans 3:26 To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Amen and amen! Praise the Lord – give glory to His Name! He is the King of kings and Lord of lords! He is my Redeemer and my Friend!!!
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Joseph M. Scriven
- What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer! - Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer. - Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there. - Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.
