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Rejoice Evermore

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 1, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 27.

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“Rejoice Evermore”

By C. H. Bates

C. H. BATES
THE Christian life should be a life of rejoicing. The Word of God tells us to “rejoice evermore.” Ps. 34:1. We have this inspired statement, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
I see no reason why the Christian should go round bowed down as a bulrush, always discouraged and complaining, when there are so many precious promises in the Word to encourage and strengthen him. Notice the wording of the scripture quoted above. It is a continued praise, not an occasional one. It is a rejoicing that is to last forevermore after we once take upon ourselves the life of the Christian.
The Christian life will not be free from trials and disappointments. The Word tells us, “In the world ye shall have tribulation,” but these tribulations should only make us take a stronger hold of the power of the Infinite One. As the tree swayed by the wind sends down its roots and takes deeper hold of the elements, so the Christian after every conflict should come forth stronger for the next trial.
It has been a saying among the Indians for generations, that “the strength of the slain enters the life of the slayer;” so we may come forth from every conflict stronger for the next encounter.
Some of our most noted men have come to the place where they could be of the greatest service to mankind under the most adverse circumstances. Milton, one of our greatest poets, wrote his best lines when he was blind, poor, and sick. “Who best can suffer,” he said, “best can do.” Bunyan wrote “Pilgrim’s Progress” while he was in prison. Walter Raleigh also wrote his “History of the World” in prison. Helmholtz dated his beginning in science to an attack of typhoid fever. While recovering he purchased a microscope. This proved the opportunity of his life. Alexander Pope was deformed in body, but consciousness of his misfortune made him strive the harder to equal other men. Homer wrote the Odyssey after he was old and blind.
Let us seek to learn out of every trial the lesson God would teach.