Rejoice in the Lord!

Lately I have been thinking of the goodness of God.  How even though circumstances in our lives are not what we would ask for, His way really is the best!  He sees the big picture, we only see right now.  One of my favorite verses for some time has been Joel 2:21  "...be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things."  It is so wonderful to know the joy of hoping in the Lord.  Though trials may appear to be God's wrath and lack of blessing, really, trials are a blessing and a way in love our Lord molds us to be more like Christ.  We can get bitter when we think of a trial as being forsaken by God, or we can grow in faith and in character when we accept a trial, and trust the Lord has a plan.  I'm so glad He loves me enough to want me to be better for Him!  I can only hope that by His grace, I allow trials and testings to change me and make me more Christ-like!  

I heart this encouraging song on the radio this morning:   

Rejoice in the Lord

by Ron Hamilton
God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadow ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.