I read something in Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost For His Highest that I haven’t been able to get out of my mind. His comments were in response to the words of Jesus to His disciples: “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26). OC says, “What a pang must have shot through the disciples–Missed it again! And what a pang will go through us when we suddenly realize that we might have produced downright joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in Him, no matter what was ahead.” He goes on to explain that our sanctification will result in making us a deep joy to our Lord. I wrote in my journal, “I love this thought—giving the Lord joy by trusting Him in the darkness.”

Yesterday we read Lamentations in The Daily Walk Bible. Jeremiah must have brought great joy to the heart of the Lord for he was able to have hope in the midst of his own brokenness and wounded heart at the destruction of Jerusalem. Here is his shout of triumph, “The though of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lamentations 3:21-25 NLT). Oh may I bring joy to the Lord with a shout of faith, hope, and triumph like Jeremiah even in the adversities, challenges, and trials of life. “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:9 ESV).