In The Shadow

Real quick, think through some ideas of what it means to be exalted. Where does that take you? For me, I think of mountain tops, of flying high enough to see the sun reflecting off the tops of the clouds that you just broke through, or of climbing a podium after a victory.

Those are reasons to be happy, right? Those are what we would consider "times of rejoicing." Rejoicing means to be glad, or joyful, or to make merry. For me, I always used to think of rejoicing as celebrating. To rejoice is to have a party in your heart with excited happiness and loud praises. That's what "making merry" means...

But then, reading in Psalm 63 you come to vs 7 and it says "Because Thou has been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." Okay...shadow of the wings. Not much of a party, or a high place, more like quiet and dark... Every other time that the Bible talks about the "Shadow of the Almighty" or the "Hiding Place" it's all about trusting, resting and hoping, not rejoicing. But there it is: "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice."

So yes, you can, and should rejoice in times of exaltation, but you can also rejoice simply through quiet gratefulness. Rejoice in your heart by praising the Lord for what He has done, and what He is. Rejoice in the quiet, and in the dark. Rejoice in hope, and rejoice because He has been your help.

Rejoice in the Lord always...

~Joanna Renae~