What a blessed truth: Christians can rejoice even in the deepest distress! Though trouble surrounds them, they still sing. And like caged birds, they often sing their sweetest songs in confinement. The waves may crash over them, but their souls have a buoyancy that brings them back to the surface where they see the light of God's face. Something within keeps their heads above water, helping them sing through the storm: "God is with me still!"

To whom does the glory belong? Oh! To Jesus—it is all by Jesus! Trouble itself does not bring comfort to the believer. No, it's the presence of the Son of God in the fiery furnace with us that fills our hearts with joy.

Here is a sick and suffering believer. But Jesus visits him and tenderly makes his bed. Here is another, dying, with the cold waters of Jordan rising up to his neck. But Jesus wraps His arms around him and cries, "Fear not, beloved! To die is to be blessed. These waters of death flow from their fountain-head in heaven. They are not bitter—they are sweet as nectar, for they flow from the throne of God."

As the departing saint wades deeper into the stream, as the billows gather round, as heart and flesh fail, that same voice sounds in his ears: "Fear not; I am with thee; be not dismayed; I am thy God." As he approaches the borders of the infinite unknown, almost terrified to enter the realm of shades, Jesus speaks again: "Fear not. It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Thus strengthened and consoled, the believer is not afraid to die. No—he is even willing to depart! Having seen Jesus as the morning star, he longs to gaze upon Him as the sun in His strength.

Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire. He is at once "The glory of our brightest days; The comfort of our nights."