February 24

sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. — 2 Cor 6:10 BSB

Though the Christian may be sorrowful in themselves, they have reason to rejoice through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Any hope through grace or manifestation of His person, work, blood, and love can bring joy, even in sorrow. In fact, sorrow often opens the way for joy. There is no room in a worldly heart for spiritual joy, for the Lord brings joy through sorrow. When the heart is heavy with gloom, fear, doubt, or distress; when family troubles, bereavements, or trials fill the heart with grief, that is the time for the Lord to pour His joy into the soul. As afflictions increase, so do consolations. Sorrow and joy are intertwined like night and day, sun and moon, heaven and earth. Without sorrow, there can be no joy, for joy is the counterbalance to sorrow.

If you had everything your heart desired, where would there be room for spiritual joy? But when all earthly sources of joy dry up, and nothing but sorrow and trouble stretch before you, then there is space in your heart for the sweet consolations of God’s grace.