Leap for Joy

July 23

Professional wrestling is phony. Everybody knows that. Thai boxing, on the other hand, leaves no doubt as to the degree of pain the combatants are inflicting on each other. The audience can see the welts and bruises as they arise on the faces and bodies of the opponents.

Some of the trials believers face in life are phony. The enemy of the people of God, “…goes around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” I Peter 5:8. Those who understand the nature of the ‘king of beasts’ tell us that the lion that roars is the old lion who is trying to intimidate his prey. The strong, young lion moves silently upon his victim. So, the devil, the defeated foe, makes much of his assault on the believer and often his assault is smoke and mirrors.

Although some of life’s battles are less formidable, there are others that pose an extreme challenge to the faith and the resolve of those who face them. When confronted with the worst that life and the enemy can throw at him, the child of God must say with the psalmist, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I give thanks to Him.”

Why should believers lift their voices in joy and praise when they are sorely beset with trial? Two reasons come to mind: first, because “the joy of the Lord is his strength,” Nehemiah 8:10 and second, because “the Lord inhabits the praise of His people” Psalm 22:3. When we have His strength and when we abide in His presence through our praise, we are greatly comforted and helped. Our hearts then leap for joy despite our trials.