8. JOY AWAITS THE SAINTS.
8. JOY AWAITS THE SAINTS.
"He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Can I complain of my present troubles, since in a short time—like those who walk in white robes, with crowns on their heads, and palms in their hands—I shall be in an ecstacy of joy forever? When I am brought from the house of mourning, to make my solemn entrance into the King's palace, it will be with gladness and rejoicing.
All my powers of mind will be entranced at my admission into your beatific presence! All the heavenly graces will sing in concert at receiving the crown of perfection! All the angels of light will welcome me with joy to their great Master's house! and the whole church of the first-born will shout my happy accession to the purchased throne!
Yet, for all this, my welcome would be but dry, and their song but dull—did not you, O Jehovah! rejoice over me! Did you not rest in your love, and rejoice over me with singing! How can the heaven be silent, if Jehovah sings? All your attributes, all your perfections shall harmonize in my salvation. Mercy and truth, righteousness and peace—shall meet and kiss, and shout and sing!
O what astonishing transports and entrancing melody shall fill the highest heavens! where, O amazing! where the subject of our songs, and object of our love—shall himself be the sweetest singer—because he does everything according to the grandeur of a God!