He
will yet fill your mouth with laughing,
And your lips with rejoicing.
Job
8:21 (NKJV)
This might be
described as a time of challenge. There are times in every life when things comes easily. Conversely, there are times when it seems that every good thing
is born of great struggle. The encouraging news is no matter how fiercely you struggle
for the good, it’s always sweet, and filled with laughter. I love to laugh, and not only is laughter the
best medicine, it’s also good for the soul.
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I’ve confessed to
being imprisoned
by hope, and it’s where I live, but this is different. This is simple joy. This
morning, I awoke with My Beloved to laughter.
I don’t even remember what it was about, but there was a simply joyful
spirit abiding as we rose to greet the day. I rested with us, inhabiting us,
informing and setting the tone for our day.
If we can learn
anything from the story of Job, joy is NOT the lesson we’d expect. However, there is the notion that even
through trials, we have hope. Job’s
companion and comforter Bildad speaks prophetic words when he declares,
“surely God does
not reject one who is blameless
or strengthen the hands of
evildoers. “(Job 8:21 NIV)
He’s telling his boy, “I know it’s rough, and you think it will never end, but you’ve got faith, and you are not alone.” He then goes on to assure him that “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” So, no matter how tough it is, there is an assurance.
So, I will continue to be imprisoned by hope, and captivated by joy. Sometimes life is wonderful. When it is difficult, I have the assurance that good will come. And that assurance…that promise of a mouth divinely filled with laughing reminds me that my cup is never empty. I am reminded that God is good.
