Article April 25, 1942 Issue

Triumphant Joy

KATHERYN LLEWELLYN MC CORD

One who rejoices over a victory won is doing a very natural thing, according to general human experience. But a study of the Scriptures in the light of Christian Science shows that rejoicing beforehand is often a decisive factor in bringing about victory. Jehoshaphat, when faced with a multitude of hostile forces, "appointed singers unto the Lord" to go out before his armies, "and when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir ... and they were smitten." Paul and Silas, though chained in prison, sang praises unto God at midnight. According to the record, they wasted no precious moments in fear or resentment, nor did they frantically seek ways to escape. They sang, and kept on singing, because they loved God and man. Thus not only was their complete release accomplished, but that of the other prisoners as well. And, furthermore, the keeper and his household were turned to the worship of God.

Today, in one of the small countries temporarily under the yoke of a conqueror, we read of groups that courageously gather and sing together; also, in a large Asiatic country which is fighting for its freedom, community singing has been introduced and most enthusiastically adopted as a unifying and strengthening force.

Individual Christian Scientists are proving for themselves that songs of praise to God are triumphant today over that which may threaten health and happiness. God being all-power, there can be no power in the belief of self-will, which aggressively shouts for mastery over human thought. Power is the companion of the joyful heart which praises God in self-forgetful humility, gratitude, and steadfast obedience to divine Principle.

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