February 23

YOUR HEART SHALL REJOICE
by Ray Prinzing

"And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."                                                        (John 16:22).

Peter wrote that "now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptation: with the trial of your faith..." (1 Peter 1:6).  The testings and provings are not always easy to bear, the tears flow, and the flesh would cry for ways of escape.  Sorrow is not something that is readily welcomed, it is endured when it overtakes us.  Yet, the wise child of God can see that through these things God is preparing His people for a day of glory and victory, so that Paul could write, "I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  (Romans 8:18).  while the Phillips translation waxes even more eloquent, "whatsoever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us."

"But I will see you again..." "It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2).  That He will return again is a promise, that we shall see Him again is certain.  Every revelation and unfolding of truth is helping to prepare us for this climactic hour, when "This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven."  (Acts 1:11).

"And your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." So, "hear the Word of the Lord, ye that tremble at His Word; Your breathen that hated you, that cast you out for My name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed." (Isaiah 65:5).  "And it shall be said in that day, Lord, this is our God: we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."  (Isaiah 25:9). Tears are wiped away, the heart is filled with singing, and praises shall be lifted up to Him who comes to bless us with all spiritual blessings in Himself.