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"GOD HATH GIRDED US WITH GLADNESS" "Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and GIRDED ME WITH GLADNESS;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." (Psalm 30:10-12) (caps mine)It is interesting to note that David wrote this Psalm for the dedication of the temple, which he knew would happen after his death. He so longed for the completion of a house for God and a permanent place for people to worship the LORD, David made every preparation he could before he died, even the songs to be sung. In this song David reminds us that our perils are very brief, but God's Presence lasts all our life. We may cry through the night, but God brings us joy in the morning. Whatever trial we are facing, it helps to remember this truth. Some trials seem long, like those in the life of Job, but in the light of eternity and the love of God upon our lives, they are fleeting. The Apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh for years, yet, it caused him to depend upon the sufficient grace of God. The LORD turns our wailing into that Heavenly song of peace. He takes the sackcloth of mourning from us and gives us a robe of joy. Folks, always remember this: on the other side of every trial there will be times of rejoicing again, not just happiness, but heart filled joy. Why does He do this for us? It is so that we may sing to Him for His goodness to us, and thank Him for the lessons learned. We thank Him for walking right there beside us through that valley of the shadow of death.Friends, give thanks to God and forever serve Him because of His merciful grace upon us, His matchless goodness to us, and for filling us with His melody of gladness within us.