JOY AND SORROW

I posted this on kjvblog today and thought I would bring it on over here.



I read this devotion in Streams in the Desert a long time ago,  but as I have grown  older it has taken on new meaning.  Streams in the desert is a devotional book by Mrs Charles E. Cowman, in case you are not familiar with it.  I don't depend upon a devotional book for my devotions.  But I sometimes will pick it up and find encouragement for that day.   I think you will find this devotion real to a Christian's life.  I did.

" As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." (2 Corinthians 6:10)

Sorrow was beautiful,but her beauty was the beauty of the moonlight shining through the leafy branches of the trees in the wood, and making little pools of silver here and there on the soft green moss below.

When Sorrow sang, her notes were like the low sweet call of a nightingale, and in her eyes was the unexpected gaze of one who has ceased to look for coming gladness.  She  could weep, but to rejoice with those who rejoice was unknown to her.

Joy was beautiful too, but his was the radiant beauty of the summer morning.  His eyes still held the glad laughter of childhood, and his hair had the glint of the sunshine's kiss.  When Joy sang his voice soared upward as the lark's and his step was the step of a conqueror who has never known defeat.  He could rejoice with all who rejoice, but to weep was unknown to him.  "But we can never be united," said Sorrow wistfully.

"No, never."  And Joy's eyes shadowed as he spoke.  "My path lies through the sunlit meadows, the sweetest roses blooms to my gathering, and the blackbirds and the thrushes await my coming to pour forth their most joyous lays."

"My path," said Sorrow, turning slowly away, "leads through the darkening woods, with moon flowers only shall my hands be filled.  Yet the sweetest of all the earth-songs the love song of the night- shall be mine; farewell, Joy, farewell."

Even as she spoke they became conscious of a form standing beside them; dimly seen, but of a King Presence, and a great and holy awe stole over them as they sank on their knees before Him.

"I see Him as the King of Joy," whispered Sorrow., "for on His Head are many crowns, and the nail prints in His hands and feet are the scars of a great victory.  Before Him all my sorrow is melting away into deathless love and gladness, and I give myself to Him forever."

"Nay, Sorrow," said Joy softly, "but i see Him as the King of Sorrow, and the crown on His head is a crown of thorns, and the nail prints in His hands and feet are the scars of great agony.  "I, too, give myself  to Him forever, for sorrow with Him must be sweeter than any joy that I have known."

"Then we are one in Him, they cried in gladness, "for none but He could unite Joy and Sorrow."

Hand in hand they passed out into the world to follow Him through storm and sunshine, in the bleakness of winter cold and the warmth of summer gladness,"  as sorrowful yet always rejoicing.

"Should Sorrow lay her hand upon thy shoulder,

And walk with thee in silence on life's way,

While Joy, thy bright companion once, grown colder,

Becomes to thee the more distant day by day?

Shrink not from the companionship of Sorrow,

She is the messenger of God to thee;

And thou wilt thank Him in His great tomorrow -

For what thou knowest not now, thou then shalt see;

She is God's angel, clad in weeds of night,

With 'whom we walk by faith and not by sight."