Article October 11, 1924 Issue

"Rejoice and be glad"

ANNA M. GRAFELMAN

The Psalmist sang, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." In studying the Scriptures the student is impressed with the many admonitions contained therein to "rejoice and be glad." The children of Israel were given the command, "Rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee." They were also told that if they did not serve the Lord "with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things," they were to be punished by their enemies.

And why should not we rejoice? Joy and gladness are divine gifts; they belong to heaven. God is the loving Father and Mother, who is constantly bestowing happiness, joy, and blessings upon His children. The same divine Love which cares for the sparrows and for the lilies of the field always watches and guards His own. We can never get away from His watchful care, His divine protection; for underneath, round and about us, are the everlasting arms of divine Love. It is mortal sense, the only enemy, which would try to hide from our vision God's goodness and bounty.

A student of Christian Science arrived early one morning at a cottage which she was planning to close for the season. A few days before, certain members of her family had started on a long journey to foreign lands. As she entered the cottage everything about her seemed to remind her of those who were dear to her; and such a wave of loneliness, homesickness, and fear for their safety swept over her that the tears blinded her eyes and she quickly went out of doors. It was a wonderful summer morning, but she was oblivious to the beauty surrounding her. Suddenly the song of a bird burst upon the air. He was seated on the low limb of a tree a few feet from where she stood; and the song was so joyous, so full-throated and free, that the tears ceased flowing as she listened. Then came the thought, If this bird can sing so joyously at this early hour, why should I be in tears when God has blessed me so abundantly, and I know that divine Love is omnipotent, is everywhere present, and always cares for His own? A few moments later she joined in the song! Joy and gratitude had banished fear and loneliness, and the tears were dried.

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Unselfish Love
October 11, 1924
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