Glad in Him

Tonight I gathered together with friends to worship Jesus Christ for who He is.  As we sung together I was amazed - a voice in itself may sound exceedingly beautiful, but the stirring of affections for the Lord pouring forth in song and praise is far more beautiful a sound.  There is little in this life as pure as the voices of God's children united in praise and worship.  It was a revitalizing night for a wandering soul.

As we sang together I read the words of the psalmist, who declares that there is nothing better than to commit our welfare to God.  It is both wise and worshipful to unhesitatingly cast ourselves with confidence, and with a cheerful heart, upon the paternal care of God.

Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.  (Psalm 33:20-22)

To live in the song of the psalmist is to be empowered to joyfully wait for the Lord.  The Lord who's name is trustworthy because of who He is; because He is holy.

In great wisdom John Calvin comments on this psalm:

Surely God shall always be our joy; surely his holy name shall be like an impregnable fortress for our refuges.  Whence is it that believers continue perseveringly to call upon God, but because, satisfied with his favor, they have always, amidst their sorrows and griefs, this comfort, which is sufficient to maintain their cheerfulness?  Justly, therefore, do believers affirm, in the first place, that their heart rejoices in the Lord; because, freed from wandering after the fascinations of the world, they neither waver nor hesitate at every change of fortune, but place the whole felicity of their lives in enjoying the free and paternal favor of God.

God is our almighty help and unconquerable shield.  Believing this, we can trust Him and we will not be disappointed.  To put our hope in man is to continually be disillusioned, naked, and abandoned.  O, what misery that is!  Yet to hope in the Lord is endless joy and gladness.  We are freed from the empty promises of the world - we need not stand on them any longer!  Instead, we are called to put the hope of our hearts and lives in the hands of our loving Father who's name is holy.