Scripture
Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
— Psalm 149:2 (ESV)
Devotional
Be glad of heart, O believer, but take care that thy gladness has its spring in the Lord. Thou hast much cause for gladness in thy God, for thou canst sing with David, “God, my exceeding joy.” Be glad that the Lord reigneth, that Jehovah is King! Rejoice that he sits upon the throne, and ruleth all things! Every attribute of God should become a fresh ray in the sunlight of our gladness. That he is wise should make us glad, knowing as we do our own foolishness. That he is mighty, should cause us to rejoice who tremble at our weakness. That he is everlasting, should always be a theme of joy when we know that we wither as the grass. That he is unchanging, should perpetually yield us a song, since we change every hour. That he is full of grace, that he is overflowing with it, and that this grace in covenant he has given to us; that it is ours to cleanse us, ours to keep us, ours to sanctify us, ours to perfect us, ours to bring us to glory–all this should tend to make us glad in him. This gladness in God is as a deep river; we have only as yet touched its brink, we know a little of its clear sweet, heavenly streams, but onward the depth is greater, and the current more impetuous in its joy. The Christian feels that he may delight himself not only in what God is, but also in all that God has done in the past. The Psalms show us that God’s people in olden times were wont to think much of God’s actions, and to have a song concerning each of them. So let God’s people now rehearse the deeds of the Lord! Let them tell of his mighty acts, and “sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously.” Nor let them ever cease to sing, for as new mercies flow to them day by day, so should their gladness in the Lord’s loving acts in providence and in grace show itself in continued thanksgiving. Be glad ye children of Zion and rejoice in the Lord your God.
Reflection
Gladness that springs from the Lord is not shallow cheer. He reigns. He is wise when you are foolish, mighty when you tremble, everlasting when you wither, unchanging when you shift by the hour, and full of covenant grace that cleanses, keeps, sanctifies, and brings you home. You have only touched the brink of that river. Rehearse what He has done. Sing for what He still does. The gospel makes a people who rejoice in their King, not in their weather.
Goad
Where is your gladness still springing from circumstances this morning, instead of from the Maker who sits on the throne?
Tie-In
Morning rejoices in the King. Evening, when the heart is overwhelmed, is led to the Rock higher than I. Gladness and refuge are both found in Him—not in the tide of your feelings.
Closing
Spurgeon’s classic text with a brief reflection to help today’s reader.
If these words have stirred something, sit with it.
NewGrapes Ministries. Making disciples, not pew-fillers. Soli Deo Gloria.