– Our joy does not come from the absence of troubles.

– Our joy comes from the presence of God in the midst of troubles.

– What we want God to do for us is to subtract – subtract troubles, grief, hardships from our lives.

– What God wants to do for us is to add – add Himself to our troubles, griefs, hardships, so that they would be overshadowed by His presence!

These thoughts came to me while meditating on Psalm 16.

Ps. 16:9-10, “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”

This exact verse was used later on by Peter (Acts 2:27) to describe Jesus – how he was raised from the dead and therefore, his body never decayed.

But does that mean Jesus was spared from troubles, griefs, hardships? No. Jesus went through troubles, griefs, and hardships. But in the MIDST of that He rejoiced, was glad, and rest secure because of God’s promise to deliver Him THROUGH (not from) it!!!

More than asking God to remove our troubles – nothing wrong with asking God to remove it – seek for God’s presence.

Blessings,

PH