The Source of Joy

In his book, "Here and Now," Henri Nouwen writes, "Joy does not come from positive predictions about the state of the world. It does not depend upon the ups and downs of the circumstances of our lives. Joy is based on the spiritual knowledge that, while the world we live in is shrouded in darkness, God has overcome the world. Jesus says it loudly and clearly: 'In the world, you will have troubles, but rejoice, I have overcome the world.'

The surprise is not that, unexpectedly, things turn out better than expected. No, the real surprise is that God's light is more real than all the darkness, that God's truth is more powerful than all human lies, that God's love is stronger than death."

And through it all, we have the assurance in Hebrews that through Christ, we receive mercy and grace to help us in our times of need.