Rejoicing by Faith

“Count it all joy” — James 1:2.

We do not always feel joyful, but we are to count it all joy. The word “reckon” is one of the key words of Scripture. The same word is used about our being dead. We do not feel dead. We are painfully aware of something that would gladly return to life. Yet we are to treat ourselves as dead, neither fearing nor obeying the old nature.

In the same way, we are to reckon what comes to us as a blessing. We are determined to rejoice and to say, “My heart is fixed, O God; I will sing and give praise.” This rejoicing by faith will soon become a habit. It will always quickly bring a spirit of gladness and a spontaneous overflow of praise.

Then, “although the fig tree may wither and no fruit appear on the vines, the olive harvest fail and the fields yield no increase, the herd be cut off from the stall and the cattle from the field, yet we will rejoice in the Lord and find joy in the God of our salvation.”

Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round:
On Jesus’ breast, nothing but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown:
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.