Glad Christians – Paul Chappell

“I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”

Psalm 30:8–12

Charles Spurgeon said, “Gladness in God is as a deep river; we have only as yet touched its brink, we know a little of its clear sweet, heavenly streams, but onward the depth is greater, and the current more impetuous in its joy. The Christian feels that he may delight himself not only in what God is, but also in all that God has done in the past. The Psalms show us that God’s people in olden times were wont to think much of God’s actions, and to have a song concerning each of them. So let God’s people now rehearse the deeds of the Lord!”

When we speak in gladness of what God has done for us, it builds and strengthens our faith, and encourages others to trust God for their needs to be met. God delights in the praises of His people. He gives us deliverance and provision because of His love for us, but also to fill our hearts with gladness so that our mouths will be filled with praise and thanksgiving. Of course there will be times of grief and mourning, but the Christian who is habitually sad is not living with a conscious appreciation of all that God has done for him. Let us say with the Psalmist, “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Psalm 126:3).