My soul is troubled, desperate for God’s intervention, and my prayer this morning just repeats, “Oh God how I need you, every hour I need you.” I come to His throne with my requests, and my soul weeps and groans, and yet, and yet, there is a joy.

Joy is silent as though sitting quietly, watching, and waiting to see how I will respond and if I will fully trust God.

I ponder the verses to be sorrowful yet always rejoicing and to bring a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. I know that even when the soul is in sorrow, praise and thanksgiving can continue. Even when the soul is in agony, there is rejoicing because one day all that is wrong will be made right and all suffering will end.

Joy now wears a smile and moves closer.

Through tears I watch and wonder how to pull joy closer and if I even should. Perhaps in this moment of so needing God’s breakthrough, answers, and wisdom, I should be more emotional and more distraught. Then I remember the verse about the Israelites how as they sang and praised, God set ambushes to defeat their enemies (2 Chronicles 20:22).

Joy nods and smiles.

Through eyes watery, I sing… “I love you Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, oh my soul rejoice. Take joy my King in what You hear may it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.”

Tears fall as I bring my sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise, and joy wraps tender arms around my soul as I weep.

Gentle words soothe the soul with the knowledge that weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Joy comes, joy is here, even when sorrow remains.

Joy comes in knowing that the Savior has overcome.

Joy comes because one day all tears will be wiped away and all sorrow will cease.

I curl up and cry in the arms of joy.

Mining for Treasure

Is there a sorrow that has been brought to mind as you have been reading?

Can you envision Our Loving Savior beckoning you into His comforting presence?

What truths can He speak into your heart that can lead you to joy even in the midst of your sorrow?

What truth is spoken in these very words from the prophet Jeremiah? “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3: 22-23 NIV).

King David reminds us to have our hope in the One Who Provides: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God My Savior and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:5 NIV).

From Unfailing Treasures by Lisa Buffaloe https://amzn.to/2MDCtCB