April 23:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Vitalizing Power.
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.  You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.--Psalm 30:11, NLT

NOT ALL THIS WORLD bestows can heal a broken heart, or impart peace of mind, or remove care, or banish disease.  Fame, genius, talent--all are powerless to gladden the sorrowful heart or to restore the wasted life.  The life of God in the soul is man's only hope.

The Love which Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power.  Every vital part--the brain, the heart, the nerves--it touches with healing.  By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity.  It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, that crush the life forces.  With it comes serenity and composure.  It implants in the soul, joy that nothing earthly can destroy,--joy in the Holy Spirit,--health-giving, life-giving joy.--The Ministry of Healing, 115.

When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart, it transforms the life.  Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are renounced; love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and strife.  Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light of heaven.  No one sees the hand that lifts the burden, or beholds the light descend from the courts above.  The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God.--The Desire of Ages, 173.

                                            And do not be conformed to this world,
                                     but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
                          that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
                                                                                               --Romans 12:2, NKJV

April 22:  Joy Through Tribulation.

From Sadness to Joy.
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry.  I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.--Jeremiah 31:13, NRSV

LET US LOOK to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord has done to comfort us and to save us from the hand of the destroyer.  Let us keep fresh in our memory all the tender mercies that God has shown us,--the tears He has wiped away, the pains He has soothed, the anxieties removed, the fears dispelled, the wants supplied, the blessings bestowed,--thus strengthening ourselves for all that is before us through the reminder of our pilgrimage.

We cannot but look forward to new perplexities in the coming conflict, but we may look on what is past as well as on what is to come, and say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."  "As thy days, so shall thy strength be."  Deuteronomy 33:25.  The trial will not exceed the strength that shall be given us to bear it.  Then let us take up our work just where we find it, believing that whatever may come, strength proportionate to the trial will be given.

And by and by the gates of heaven will be thrown open to admit God's children, and from the lips of the King of glory the benediction will fall on their ears like richest music, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."  Matthew 25:34.--Steps to Christ, 125.

              The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.
        And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.
              When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
                                                                                            --1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT

                   Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Jeshanah,
              and named it Ebenezer; for he said, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
                                                                                         --1 Samuel 7:12, NRSV

April 21:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Endless Joy.
"Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."--John 16:22, NKJV

GREAT DARKNESS was upon the face of the earth.  The last hope of the disciples seemed swept away as Jesus died.  Many of His followers witnessed the scene of His sufferings and death, and their cup of sorrow was full.--Early Writings, 177.

Lonely hours they spent in weeping over their disappointment.  They had expected that Jesus would reign as a temporal Prince, but their hopes died with Him.  In their sorrow and disappointment, they doubted whether He had not deceived them.  Even His mother wavered in her faith in Him as the Messiah.--Early Writings.--179.

Jesus arose from the dead, a triumphant conqueror.  In solemn awe the angelic host gazed upon the scene.  And as Jesus came forth from the sepulcher, those shining angels prostrated themselves to the earth in worship, and hailed Him with songs of victory and triumph.--Early Writings, 182.

Jesus remained with His disciples forty days, causing them joy and gladness of heart as He opened to them more fully the realities of the kingdom of God.--Early Writings, 189.

His anxious followers gladly listened to His teachings, eagerly feasting upon every word which fell from His holy lips.  Now they certainly knew that He was the Saviour of the world....Their hearts were warmed with love and exceeding joy, as Jesus told them that He would go and prepare mansions for them and come again and receive them, that they might be ever with Him.--Early Writings, 190.

                "Let not  your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
      In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
              I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you,
                                 I will come again and receive you to Myself;
                                      that where I am, there you may be also."
                                                                                      --John 14:1-3, NKJV

April 20:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Sorrow Turning Into Joy
"I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice.  You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy."--John 16:20, NLT

WHEN THEY SHOULD SEE  their Lord betrayed and crucified, the disciples would mourn and fast.  In His last words to them in the upper chamber, He said, "A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy."  John 16:19, 20.

When He should come forth from the tomb, their sorrow would be turned to joy.  After His ascension, He was to be absent in person; but through the Comforter He would still be with them, and they were not to spend their time in mourning.  This was what Satan wanted.  He desired them to give the world the impression that they had been deceived and disappointed; but by faith they were to look to the sanctuary above, where Jesus was ministering for them; they were to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit, His representative, and to rejoice in the light of His presence.--The Desire of Ages, 277.

                     May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing
                       that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
                                                                                               --Romans 15:13, NKJV

                      Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away:
                              for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you;
                          but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  And when he is come,
                      he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
             of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father,
             and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
                                                                                                  --John 16:7-11, KJV         

April 19:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Comforting Others.
Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.--2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, ESV

MANY WERE THE MESSAGES of comfort given the church by the prophets of old.  "Comfort ye, comfort ye My people" (Isaiah 40:1), was Isaiah's commission from God; and with the commission were given wonderful visions that have been the believers' hope and joy through all the centuries that have followed.  Despised of men, persecuted, forsaken, God's children in every age have nevertheless been sustained by His sure promises.  By faith they have looked forward to the time when He will fulfill to His church the assurance, "I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations."  Isaiah 60:15.--Prophets and Kings, 722.

Then let us not mourn and grieve because in this life we are not free from disappointments and afflictions.  If in the providence of God we are called upon to endure trials, let us accept the cross and drink the bitter cup, remembering that it is a Father's hand that holds it to our lips.  Let us trust Him in the darkness as well as in the day.  Can we not believe that He will give us everything that is for our good?  "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"  Even in the night of affliction how can we refuse to lift heart and voice in grateful praise, when we remember the love to us expressed by the cross of Calvary?--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, 315.

                                              Sing, O heavens!
                                            Be joyful, O earth!
                              And break out in singing, O mountains!
                              For the Lord has comforted His people,
                                 And will have mercy on His afflicted.
                              
                                                    --Isaiah 49:13, NKJV

April 18:  Joy Through Tribulation.

God Is Our Strength.
I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.  I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.--2 Corinthians 7:4, NIV

ALL WHO STAND UNSHRINKINGLY in the forefront of the battle must feel the special warfare of Satan against them.  As they realize his attacks, they will flee to the Stronghold.  They feel their need of special strength from God, and they labor in His strength; therefore the victories they gain do not exalt them, but lead them in faith to lean more securely upon the Mighty One.  Deep and fervent gratitude to God is awakened in their hearts, and they are joyful in the tribulation which they experience while pressed by the enemy.  These willing servants are gaining an experience and forming a character which will do honor to the cause of God.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, 510.

Let me know that Jesus smiles upon me; let me know that he approves my actions and my course, and then let come what may, let afflictions be ever so great, I will be resigned to my lot and rejoice in the Lord.--"The Graces of the Spirit,"  Review and Herald, December 21, 1886, 785.

                           I often boast about you; I have great pride in you;
                 I am filled with consolation; I am overjoyed in all our affliction.
                              
                                                            --2 Corinthians 7:4, NRSV

April 17:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Finding Joy in God's Law.
Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.--Psalm 119:92, NKJV

CHRIST'S TRUE DISCIPLES follow Him through sore conflicts, enduring self-denial and experiencing bitter disappointments; but this teaches them the guilt and woe of sin, and they are led to look upon it with abhorrence.--The Acts of the Apostles, 590.

God has given us His holy precepts, because He loves mankind.  To shield us from the results of transgression, He reveals the principles of righteousness.  The law is an expression of the thought of God; when received in Christ, it becomes our thought.  It lifts us above the power of natural desires and tendencies, above temptations that lead to sin.  God desires us to be happy, and He gave us the precepts of the law that in obeying them we might have joy.--The Desire of Ages, 308.

                                                   Your justice is eternal,
                                          and your instructions are perfectly true.
                                          As pressure and stress bear down on me,
                                                 I find joy in your commands.
                                                    Your laws are always right;
                                            help me to understand them so I may live.
                                                                                              --Psalm 119: 142-144, NLT

                                                The laws of the Lord are true;
                                                              each one is fair.
                                            They are more desirable than gold,
                                                         even the finest gold.
                                                They are sweeter than honey,
                                           even honey dripping from the comb.
                                                                                              --Psalm 19:9-11, NLT

April 16:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Do Not Despise God's Chastening.
"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty."--Job 5:17, NKJV

MANY OF YOUR AFFLICTIONS have been visited upon you, in the wisdom of God, to bring you closer to the throne of grace.  He softens and subdues His children by sorrows and trials.  This world is God's workshop, where He fashions us for the courts of heaven.  He uses the planing knife upon our quivering hearts until the roughness and irregularities are removed and we are fitted for our proper places in the heavenly building.  Through tribulation and distress the Christian becomes purified and strengthened, and develops a character after the model that Christ has given.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 143.

The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop.  If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us.  He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace.  It is valuable ore that He refines.--The Ministry of Healing, 471.

                                  Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
                                And lean not on your own understanding;
                                       In all your ways acknowledge Him,
                                           And He shall direct your paths.
                                           Do not be wise in your own eyes;
                                    Fear the Lord and depart from evil....
                               My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
                                                  Nor detest His correction;
                                    For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
                               Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
                              
                                                   --Proverbs 3:5-7, 11, 12, NKJV

April 15:  Joy Through Tribulation.

The Lord Is Tender and Patient.
I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities.--Psalm 31:7, NKJV

OH, HOW PRECIOUS is the sweet influence of the Spirit of God as it comes to depressed or despairing souls, encouraging the fainthearted, strengthening the feeble, and imparting courage and help to the tried servants of the Lord!  Oh, what a God is ours, who deals gently with the erring and manifests His patience and tenderness in adversity, and when we are overwhelmed with some great sorrow!--Patriarchs and Prophets, 657.

The Lord permits trials in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh, unchristlike traits of character.  He suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over our souls in order that we may know Him and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, in order that we may have deep heart longings to be cleansed from defilement, and may come forth from the trial purer, holier, happier.--Christ's Object Lessons, 174.

                        "Now this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God,
                                         and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
                                                                                   --John 17:3, NIV

                                                 Who is a God like you,
                                who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
                                           of the remnant of his inheritance?
                                               You do not stay angry forever
                                                 but delight to show mercy.
                                       You will again have compassion on us;
                                            you will tread our sins underfoot
                                  and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
                              
                                                                    --Micah 7:18, 19, NIV

April 14:  Joy Through Tribulation.

Facing Trials Head-On.
Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.--Psalm 51:8, NKJV

IT IS TRUE that God loves us, that He is working for our happiness, and that, if His law had always been obeyed, we should never have known suffering; and it is no less true that, in this world, as the result of sin, suffering, trouble, burdens, come to every life....

...This world is not a parade ground, but a battlefield.  All are called to endure hardness, as good soldiers....

The true way of dealing with trial is not seeking to escape it, but by transforming it.  This applies to all discipline, the earlier as well as the later.  The neglect of the child's earliest training, and the consequent strengthening of wrong tendencies, makes his after education more difficult....Painful it must be to the lower nature, crossing, as it does, the natural desires and inclinations; but the pain may be lost sight of in a higher joy.--Education, 295.

Our sorrows do not spring out of the ground.  God "doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men."  Lamentations 3:33.  When He permits trials and afflictions, it is "for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness."  Hebrews 12:10.  If received in faith, the trial that seems so bitter and hard to bear will prove a blessing.  The cruel blow that blights the joys of earth will be the means of turning our eyes to heaven.  How many there are who would never have known Jesus had not sorrow led them to seek comfort in Him!--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 10.

                                  O Lord, I will praise You;
                            Though You were angry with me,
                     Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.
                                                                            --Isaiah 12:1, NKJV