My heart and my flesh give a shout of joy for the living God. Ps. 84:2, Goodspeed.

We usually reserve thrills for the ball game, or for other forms of sport and entertainment. Usually the church does not mind a little joy, providing it is well dressed and behaves itself; but thrills in religion? Hardly that. People get the idea that when we become Christians, this is the end of joy and thrills.

Christ's constant word to us is, "Be of good cheer." When we see the disasters and the ominous signs of the end of the world descending upon us, God's Word to us is clear : "When these things come to pass, lift up your heads, look up. All is well." This reigning buoyancy and elevation of spirit is recorded from Matthew's Gospel to the book of Revelation, from Rome's arena to the Middle Ages, from the days of the Inquisition to the Reformation, and from then until now. We cannot be Christians and wear a long face.

The religion of Jesus Christ is equal to any emergency. If your soul and mind are not full of good cheer from God, then going away for a vacation will not help much. You have to take yourself with you. If your mind is sick with worry and anxiety, there is little profit in getting behind the wheel of your car and burning the wind.

Have you ever discovered the joy that comes from the power of one single promise that God meant just for you? "O taste and see that the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:8).

The reason why people are so much harassed with care is that they are too concerned with themselves. When the love of God in our hearts reaches out to people, when we are possessed by God's great cause, the joy of God will triumph over all that brings discontent, anxiety, and misery. We enjoy people for what they are and can become in Christ.