“The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”—Isaiah 35:10CWG 25.2

QUESTION

In a world filled with sorrow and tragedy, what cause have we for rejoicing?CWG 25.3

ANSWER

Praise, the atmosphere of heaven: “The melody of praise is the atmosphere of heaven; and when heaven comes in touch with the earth, there is music and song—‘thanksgiving and the voice melody.’ ”—Education, 161CWG 25.4

Jesus met temptation with a song: “With a song, Jesus in His earthly life met temptation. Often when sharp, stinging words were spoken, often when the atmosphere about Him was heavy with gloom, with dissatisfaction, distrust, or oppressive fear, was heard His song of faith and holy cheer.”—Education, 166CWG 25.5

Study, meditation, and song: “He studied the Word of God, and His hours of greatest happiness were found when He could turn aside from the scenes of His labors ... to hold communion with God.... The early morning often found Him in some secluded place, meditating, searching the Scriptures, or in prayer. With the voice of singing He welcomed the morning light. With songs of thanksgiving He cheered His hours of labor, and brought heaven's gladness to the toilworn and disheartened.”—The Ministry of Healing, 52CWG 25.6

Use song against discouragement: “Song is a weapon that we can always use against discouragement. As we thus open the heart to the sunlight of the Saviour's presence, we shall have health and His blessing.”—The Ministry of Healing, 254CWG 26.1

Gratitude promotes health: “Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings—as much a duty as it is to pray.”—The Ministry of Healing, 251CWG 26.2

The way of triumph: “As the children of Israel, journeying through the wilderness, cheered their way by the music of sacred song, so God bids His children today gladden their pilgrim life. There are few means more effective for fixing His words in the memory than repeating them in song. And such a song has wonderful power.”—Education, 167, 168CWG 26.3

“As our Redeemer leads us to the threshold of the Infinite, flushed with the glory of God, we may catch the themes of praise and thanksgiving from the heavenly choir round about the throne; and as the echo of the angels’ song is awakened in our earthly homes, hearts will be drawn closer to the heavenly singers. Heaven's communion begins on earth. We learn here the keynote of its praise.”—Education, 168CWG 26.4

The song of hope and trust: “Amidst the deepening shadows of earth's last great crisis, God's light will shine brightest, and the song of hope and trust will be heard in clearest and loftiest strains.”—Education, 166CWG 26.5

SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

If we are cleansed, forgiven, born-again, Holy Spirit-filled, genuine Christians, then our hearts should be filled with joy and gladness and happy expressions on our faces should show that now we have become a new creation. Our happiness should be expressed in our joy-filled lifestyle and by prayer and songs of praise to our Creator.CWG 26.6

Chapter 7—The Early and the Latter Rain

Chapter 9—Prayer and Trust