In the world we often experience times of trouble. Unwanted change avalanches upon us. Trials come, and we find ourselves in a place we don’t like to be – NEEDY. King David did as well.

Our natural response is to fret, worry, become fearful, angry, resentful, and controlling. Inn Psalm 9, King David counters these tendencies in his heart by reminding himself who the Lord is and what the Lord does.

In Psalm 9, he writes: “The Lord is a stronghold (refuge) for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (v. 9). For this reason, “the needy shall not always be forgotten” (v. 18). When he contemplates who God is, he erupts in worship saying, “I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.

There are some things in which we may always rejoice, therefore the Apostle says, “Rejoice always” (Philippians 4:4).

• We may rejoice in Christ Jesus as a Savior who saves to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25): so that no case can be desperate.
• We may rejoice in God as our Father, who will care and provide for us in time, and be our portion forevermore (2 Corinthians 6:18, Psalm 73:26).
• We may rejoice that our names are written in heaven; and being written there, no one can blot them out (Luke 10:20).
• We may rejoice, that, let whatever changes may take place in the world or the church, we can lack no good thing while we walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).
• We may rejoice, even in the worst of times, that all things shall work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
• We may rejoice that, however full our cup of sorrow may be now, in the next world our cup of joy will be full.

Beloved, read God’s promises, study God’s character, look forward to Christ’s second coming, and say even in the darkest day, “I will rejoice.”

• Adapted from Rev. James Smith (1802-1862)