Matt’s Corner
REJOICE AND BE GLAD
118th Psalm:28
 Matt Carrell 6-13-2014>

As we are affected day by day with common situations, we tend to
become callous, or non-responsive to things in life. When something bad
happens, we expected it, in a way, so are not shocked. When something
good comes along, we do not appreciate it, nor even acknowledge it
properly. If we react overtly, the good thing might be made ineffective, or
someone else might not agree or think our response proper. It seems we
are trained to conceal, or suppress our true feelings–unless we do it quietly
or in private. As we look in scripture, God teaches that we should be openly
supportive of our blessings, and of our daily accomplishments, as well as
special events that come along.
For instance, how does a baptism affect us? How should it? How
should we respond? Recently, during a baptism, the congregation was
singing slow, serious, soul-searching hymns. The atmosphere seemed to be
thick and serious, almost maudlin, as if a bad thing was about to happen. Is
there something wrong with us? Do we not feel elated? Isn’t this what our
efforts are supposed to produce? Well of course it is, and I know it too.
I know we rejoice inside. Maybe we could outwardly, even if it were with
some restraint, to include one another in our joy and happiness. We share
with and love one another. We are family–The family of Christ. This is the
day the Lord has made. Never in all our lives will we find gladness and joy
in any other place or any association than in the Lord’s church. We are truly blessed to be in fellowship with the Lord.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!