Does Your Heart Rejoice in the Lord

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

It can be difficult to rejoice in days of sorrow, yet you do have reason to rejoice.

Today’s devotional reading: 1 Samuel 1:26-2:10

Some of you may find it rather hard to rejoice in the Lord today because of how much you may be troubled and hurting in your spirit. Yet, it is in the moment when our hearts hurt the most that we should rejoice even more. James said, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience (Jas. 1:2-3).”

The trials and tribulations of today aren’t for breaking your soul. Satan desires to destroy your soul, but God will never test anyone with the intent of destruction. Always keep in mind that God’s thoughts towards you are of peace, not evil (Jer. 29:11).

In the testing of today, when your heart is in anguish, that is when you should utter a prayer to the Lord. We must learn how to pray a solemn prayer – a prayer that is of a contrite heart that fully opens itself to the Lord. A lot of times we will pray a prayer we have repeated over and over again, a comfortable prayer. Yet, the solemn prayer will open doors that you didn’t think could ever open.

Hannah prayed such a prayer and rejoiced greatly at how God moved for her, blessing her with a child, Samuel. As David said, weeping may endure for a night, but that anguish will go away – your joy will come in the morning (Ps. 30:5). There is no need to wait to praise God, when the blessing has already been promised to you. Claim it and rejoice today!