| “Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth” |
| —Isaiah 49:13a |
I confess that I don’t always feel joyful. In fact, most of the time people around me observe that I’m a “Gloomy Gus.” They would suggest that I walk around feeling sorry for myself, angry at the world, grumpy, miserable, and depressed. At least to them, that seems to be my most natural disposition. In fact, that’s the way my disposition appears to me when I try to examine myself: “Poor Little Me!” Yet, I can’t help having to stifle a chuckle when I hear a particular children’s rhyme in my head:
Nobody loves me!
Everybody hates me!
Guess I’ll go eat worms!
Of course the rhyme is not true. While many people don’t seem to like me very much, others seem blissfully unaware of what a wretch I am and a very few people even seem to enjoy my company. These ones appear to feel that time spent with me is worthwhile, even pleasurable. The best news of all is that God loves me! And, do you know what? God loves you, too. As the Prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 49:13, 16:
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. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
Imagine that! God has engraved our names on the palms of His hands! He obviously loves us!
So, I will strive more, work harder, and concentrate more to put away my gloom. I will stop being such a grump. I will lift my eyes to the Lord. And, I will even be so bold as to invite you to join me. This day, and every day, let’s rejoice in Him!
Based on a blog originally posted on Monday, April 20, 2015
