"Joy in God is never out of season, nay, it is in a special manner seasonable when we meet with losses and crosses in the world, that it may then appear that our hearts are not set upon these things, nor our happiness bound up in them." (Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible)
Like the magnolia, joy is evergreen (though not always adorned with blooms). Lord, show us Your glory afresh today. Refresh our parched leaves in this weary wilderness from the fountain of living waters that is Yourself. Set our hearts on heaven and the increasing knowledge of Your love even here. Grant us grace to choose joy by choosing to treasure You above all. When losses and crosses mark our days, make the sorrow a thin place where Your joy shines through all the brighter, so that the watching world may wonder at such astonishing grace and seek you for itself.
