“There is no love of life without despair of life.” Albert Camus

Count it all Joy: A Believer’s Prescription for Enduring Bitterness

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jas 1:2-4  

 

“when ye fall”

Count it all joy!

It may sound easier on paper, but in nature we know how hard it is. The body wills at any time, but the spirit is often weak.

For when we fall, either by temptation or whether by someone’s sleight of hand, the first instinct which rises to the heart is bitterness.

We are wired to win, wired to be at the top at all times, we are wired to trust our own strength, power, and knowledge at all times.

But many times nature has proven us false. We thought we were standing, but steadily we found we were sitting.

Nothing shifts a man’s life like that. And the reaction which we know so well is bitterness.

But here comes James the apostle, saying, no, count it all joy! It sounds crazy but then the things of God can seem like that. For his ways are not our ways, and neither are his thoughts our thoughts.

“when ye fall”, God is ever preaching, pray and repent, and afterwards proceed to the banqueting table.

The Temptation of the Prodigal

And that is exactly what the prodigal did. His temptations were astronomical, and the temptations of the youth are always astronomical. The prodigal was literally walking on air. “Give me what is mine.” And after getting what was his, the prodigal stepped out in regal form. And the nouveau riche greatest craving (as we know from experience) is to let the whole world know.

The prodigal’s temptations carried him high at first, but only for a while… and the overarching bitterness always lies ahead, crouching, and waiting. The prodigal walked right into it.

But it’s not even that we remember him by, but the season at the banqueting table! When ye fall, says James, count it all joy. And when ye fall, says the pessimist, go ye home and cry.

There is a Place for Sorrow

Yes, it is there. Sorrow must come! And it is good – when it leadeth to repentance, but afterward rub off the dust, rise up and walk home to the Father.

Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 2Co 7:9-11 

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Heb 12:11  

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2Co 7:1  

David, The Man after God’s Heart

Next we land on the greatest temptation of all time, the temptation of the greatest character of scripture, the temptation of the ubiquitous David.

At first he attempted to shrug it off. Perhaps he believed time heals everything, but it didn’t. In the end, like in the affair of the prodigal, David came to himself. Only God could lift his soul from the dust of death.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 

Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. 

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psa 32:1-7 

Next we land on the apostle Paul, the iconic, and rugged Paul. It is easy of course to believe every day he was streaming upon a winning streak. But that is an error. For the truth is that many times he veered on the margins of a stammering sorrow.

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Act 9:16 

For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 

Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us. 2Co 1:8-10  

Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 2Co 12:5-6 

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2Co 12:8-10

Lastly, and mine own favourite, the joys and the sorrows which encompass the countless and inimitable saints of all time.

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail

me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson,

and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of

the prophets: 

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 

Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 

Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 

And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 

They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 

(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 

God having provided some better thing for us, that

they without us should not be made perfect. 

Heb 11:32-40  

Hope is never more so lustrous, as when she is encased with his blood; the darkness, bursting into a robe of light. That light dazzling, a time capsule for eternity.

“To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life” (Rom 2:7). 

Therefore it is written, “All things are possible with God,” and “All things are possible to the one who believes.”

Believeth thou this?

Life is a Temptation Galore

Don’t be frozen, dear brethren. Jump in, claim your reward, and afterward rejoice!

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6). 

Temptations test the limit of our faith. “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small” (Pro 24:10). 

“when ye fall”?

Yes, count it all joy!

For it is not by our works we are saved, but by his unmerited mercy.

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Rom 11:5-6  

 

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 5:18-21  

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Rom 8:32  

God does not only command, but he gives the power to obey. God gives us not only the power to believe, but also the power to endure.

Have a blessed endurance!

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest.
The soul, uneasy, and confin'd from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

― Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man

 

Saved by Hope

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Rom 8:24-25  

 

The Weight of Glory: From Hopelessness to Hope

There is a glory which begins when one is saved (born-again), and there is a glory which is continuing, day by day, and there is a final glory, which we are eagerly waiting for.

Hope trickles down to what one believes, to the one whom one believes, and to what one believes. Science is good, and we thank God for it. Education is good and we thank God for it. Lovers are good and we thank God for them. And wealth is good and we thank God for it. But the testimony of Solomon shows us in a most graphic way where true hope is.

Hope can be deep, and hope can be shallow. It can be the truth, or it can be superstition. From the Dark Ages, to the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the War, to the present, life has always revolved around in cyclical hopelessness – until Christ comes into one’s life. It is not until then that life gains meaning at last, and the song Amazing Grace by John Newton begins to resonate.

 

The Life in the Spirit

There is a flesh (carnal) life and a Spirit life. And these two are contrary. A Christ filled life is a Spirit life.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Rom 8:5-8  

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1Co 2:6-8 

 

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Rom 8:11 

God is the epitome of this glory. We came from him, and the soul craves a return to him. We begin as babes, but slowly by slowly he leads us into a perfect day. So we pant. So we wait. So we groan.

 

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Rom 8:21-23  

 

And this is a day to day battle. And this is a day to day victory. Where are you right now, fellow believer? God grant that you are on the victory side.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2Co 4:7-10  

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:10-13  

Hope. The word is as sweet as honey. In Christ the word blossoms into life, as we emerge from death, the death of hopelessness and sin. In Christ we have a blessed assurance.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Joh 14:1-3

  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 1Pe 1:3-4

 

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Rom 8:28-30 

 

And so we preach. And so we are enamored. And so we exhort. And Christ did not say it would be easy. The road will be narrow, but it will be a road through which he passed. And always, with him beside us, this hope has long ceased to be a prison and has become a joy.

 

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom 8:31-34  

And so there is no Christianity without suffering, without the cross. But it is a suffering imbued with joy. It is a waiting with hope.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Heb 11:1-2

  

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:8-10

  

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Heb 11:13  

 

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:1-2  

 

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Heb 13:14  

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:35-39  

 

Let us take Abraham for an example. Let us take the saints of old for an example. Let us take Christ for an example.

 

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Rom 4:18-21  

 

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. Rom 15:4-5  

 

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2Co 4:14-18

  

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col 1:26-27  

 

And so we hope! God grant that this is your hope too, even beginning this minute. May you be persuaded, may you believe, and may you know that your hope is not, and shall never be in vain. Amen.

 

Psalm 23: A Theology of Grace

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psa 23:1 

 

It is fittingly called a psalm for all seasons. It speaks for the heart. It may be sung as adoration, it may rend itself as a confession or a thanksgiving hymn, or it may minister as a supplication or petition. In joy the psalm will do, and in sorrow the psalm will still do. 

 

What can a believer lack with a God who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent?

 

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. 

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 

If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 

Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. Psa 139:1-12  

 

Yea, he speaks every day. We hear him because we know him. Jesus has revealed him, and the Holy Spirit has assured us. Even trees declare him.  They sing a song which only his children can comprehend.

 

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Psa 19:1-3

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Rom 8:16-17  

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jer 33:3  

 

Yea, my soul craves for God. He is my bread, and my living water.

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. Joh 6:35  

This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. Joh 6:50  

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. Joh 6:58  

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Joh 11:25-26  

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. Joh 4:14  

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Joh 10:9  

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Joh 10:11  

 

Feeling thirsty? Please drink with me! Friend, let’s drink!

 

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 

Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Isa 55:1-2  

God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. Psa 63:1

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Psa 42:1-2 

 

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psa 23:2 

 

Noise distracts. It vexes. Like stones falling in a stream, and disrupting its peace and calm, so the heart loathes clamour. Noise tears at the windows of the heart. At its height noise is a racket or madness. And the world is a noisy place. Sin has left its mark to this day.

 

Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! 

My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. 

I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. Psa 120:5-7  

 

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

There are things you will never hear in the din. There are things you can only hear at midnight.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psa 23:3  

 

God is still calling. God is still leading. God is still restoring.

 

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psa 32:8  

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psa 50:15

The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 

All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psa 25:9-10 

 

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. Pro 4:1  

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. Pro 8:10  

For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Pro 8:11  

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. Isa 49:10  

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mat 11:29-30  

 

There's a reason why we crave flowers. There’s a reason why we dream. Unknowingly it’s the soul climbing towards the divine. By his mercy, he lifts the veil, and the eyes see.

 

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isa 40:6-8  

 

As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. 

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. 

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. Son 2:3-5  

 

So we dream, by God, we dream!

Think of sunny beaches, blue waters, the moon and the stars, and the kiss which happens at dusk, and the sight which greets us at dawn? Yea, that is only a foreshadow. God is present to the heart which sees.

Nevertheless we lose some, but yet we still gain others.

It's the reason for the grave and withered flowers. It's the reason for the old age, stiff backs, and creaky joints. It's the reason for tears. It’s the reason for laughter.

“But all things work together for good.” Where one door closes, another opens…

 

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1Co 2:9-10  

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Joh 14:1-3 

 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psa 23:4

 

Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt? Jer 2:6  

To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luk 1:79  

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!

 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psa 23:5

 

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 

Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Psa 31:19-20  

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. 

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. Psa 16:5-6  

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. Psa 116:13  

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 

Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Eph 3:20-21  

 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psa 23:6

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. Psa 30:11  

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psa 30:12  

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children. Psa 103:17  

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psa 16:11  

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Rev 21:3  

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev 21:4