Be Glad, Lovely Sky

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones. – (Isaiah 49:13, NIV)

Heavens and earth, be happy! Mountains, shout with joy! The Lord comforts His people. He is good to His poor people. – (Isaiah 49:13, ERV)

Oh joy! Be glad – sky! Take joy – earth! Burst into song – mountains! For the Eternal, moved to compassion, has comforted and consoled His people. – (Isaiah 49:13, VOICE)

 

Though we may not feel it in the midst of our struggles, God is moving with compassion and supplying His comfort. Perhaps that is the “why” to rejoice, for when we do, it further comforts us, despite our circumstances. Additionally, even if we do not choose to rejoice and be glad, “…the very rocks would start to shout!” (Luke 19:40, VOICE) The truth of who God is will be made known, with or without us. We are in a unique position to demonstrate joy, despite our circumstances; rejoice in the truth that we know, and hold fast to the hope of all that is yet to come. It does not mean that we will be “Miss Susie Sunshine” all the time, but what it does mean is that there is an underlying joy and hope, deep-rooted within us, that shines forth somehow, even on the most difficult of days. May we set our sights on He who is good to His people and has compassion and comfort for those in need. Let us take joy in the truth that we know and be glad in ways that spread goodness to those around us.

 

Be glad, lovely sky,

Take joy, all the earth;

For God sees us each,

With infinite worth.

In His holy love,

Comfort He does bring;

Full of compassion,

Our reason to sing.

So, sing out with praise,

All the earth rejoice;

Lift praise to the Lord,

One heart and one voice.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that all of heaven and earth has reason to rejoice and be glad, as You bring comfort and compassion to the afflicted and those in need. Thank You that You hear every prayer and see every need. Forgive us for our lack of praise in spaces of struggle. Show us how to rejoice and hold hope in tangible ways that spread joy to those around us. Help us to love all those whom we have contact with in ways that encourage and strengthen them with joy and hope. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You with grateful hearts, full of hope, as You are our Comforter, full of compassion in every season of our lives. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

“I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” – Luke 19:40

Comfort and Compassion through Christ

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

photo by Karel Hadecek

“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah!  Father of all mercy!  God of all healing counsel!  He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” – (The Message)

Herein lies the origin of the “Pay it Forward” phenomenon.  He gives so that we too might give.  He sees our need and provides, then soon after, there seems to be another in need in an area where we have just been supplied the very same help.  Because we know of God’s great love for us, we are able to give it away.  His love is not meant to be hoarded, but instead to be handed to every heart that comes near.  His love is not limited, nor are His resources.  He is our great Provider in every sense of the word, so we need not worry about our own resources running out – be it emotional, physical, or spiritual.  He is our Source and will supply all that we need, as we need it.  May each of us, as we have received from Him, in return, extend the same to another.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who does not walk away when trouble comes, but instead comes close and provides the comfort and compassion that we need most.  Forgive us for hesitating to extend the same comfort and compassion to another, for fear that our soul might somehow be sucked dry.  Thank You that You are faithful, and will supply all that we need, as You know our need long before we do.  Teach us to trust You and to listen to Your leading so that we might be Your hands and heart to those who need Your comfort to come close and be made tangible.  May all gratitude and glory be given to You, God.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present