Cage-Rattling Joy...

John 16:33I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 1 Thess.4:13-183 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen []asleep,lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,even so God will bring with Him those who []sleep in Jesus.15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are []asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. ***Imagine if we could not comfort one another with God's words from scripture!Surely, then life would be a hopelessly fearful undertaking,each day's impending unknowns dark with dread and discouragement! SO many tragedies could leave us disillusioned, our hearts irreparably broken,Faith would be crushed with despair, but for the treasure of sure hope through the shed blood of Christ! 2 Cor.4:7-9 (read the whole tender chapter )Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Where flowers bloom midst dire tides of doom and gloom forecasters spewWhere God's unfailing Word abides; each morning His mercy is new... Before a fresh burst of unknowns rattles the cage of Time and PlaceWhere, praise the Lord, faith's stepping stones are set in sands of hope and grace Where flowers bloom midst dire tides of doom and gloom forecasters spewWhere God's unfailing Word abides; each morning His mercy is new Where justice will prevail some day so we do not need to despairWhere good or ill, come what yet may, God helps us through each creature-care Where God, who cares for you and me is greater than faith's crooning foe A Very Present Help to we who need His truth and comfort so Where we would be deceived without His Word to guide, correct and cheerAnd save us from pitfalls of doubt, pride, ignorance, folly and fear Where many who have ears are deaf it seems, to thund'ring wonder-storms And many who have eyes profess no knowledge of works God performs Where all will someday give account to He whose breath of life we draw While drinking from a glorious fount of favours that pray, authors awe ...and courage, to fight the Good Fight, strong, pure and faithful to the endArmed with the power of God's might and peace thought cannot comprehend Where, praise the Lord, faith's steppingstones are set in sands of hope and graceWhere joy transcends bursts of unknowns rattling cages of Time and Place Janet Martin