Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

2 Corinthians 6:4-10
“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”

Isaiah 65:18-19
“But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.  I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.”

Almighty God, a mantle of joy cloaks your immense power.

You call us to live the paradox of contentment in the absence of security.  The courage to fight the season of sorrow comes from the choice to praise.

Teach us to use the weapon of hope in discouragement.  Open our eyes to see you vividly, and live rejoicing.

Through Jesus Christ we pray; who, though we fail and frustrate, takes great joy and delight in us.

Listen to ‘Sing, O Heavens! O Earth, Rejoice!’ by Community Presbyterian Church