LITTLE GLIMMERS
In 1929 a song was copyrighted by Milton Ager (music) and Jack Yellen (lyrics) entitled "Happy Days Are Here Again." This song is #47 on the Recording Association of America's list of "Songs of the Century." The chorus goes like this:
Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let's sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again.
Have you noticed that for most folks happy days have fallen on hard times? When things are tough the light of hope grows dim. Hope may even shrink to a faint little glimmer from our perspective. No matter what kind of circumstances we are facing, however, the truth does not change. It remains the same from generation to generation. Little glimmers remind us of the huge hope that is ours because of the work of Jesus Christ.
Happy times
He can move heaven and earth for me. Jesus said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me (Matthew 28:18).
He loves me like a doting father. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:18).
He holds me close and will never let me go. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword (Romans 8:35)?
He takes care of me. I know You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted (Job 42:2).
He has my back. Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies (Romans 8:33).
He has secured my future. He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).
Happy nights
He finds me when I am lost. I will give them a heart to know that I am the Lord, and they shall be My people and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart (Jeremiah 24:7).
He gives me eyes to see. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5).
He lifts me up when I am down. Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:4).
He never grows tired of me. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary... (Isaiah 40:29).
He heals my broken heart. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).
He helps me do the right thing. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but the transgressors stumble in them (Hosea 14:9).
Happy days
He makes me beautiful inside. Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:2-5).
He never rips me off. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change (James 1:17).
He helps me do good. God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).
He makes me smile. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11).
He surprises me. For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
He directs my paths. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake (Psalm 23:3).
It has been said three things reveal the heart of a person: eyes, friends and beliefs. What are you believing in the midst of the storm, feelings of failure, overwhelming odds, the visit to the doctor's office, attending a memorial service, being pummeled by the enemy? Do you see any little glimmers? Keep watching! Our God will prevail. He will deliver the goods. He will overcome the evil one and the pain of this world.
Spoiler alert! He will carry us triumphantly across the finish line. Expect a Pollyanna ending because the good guys win! Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen (Revelation 1:7).
Happy times - Happy nights - Happy days - Are here again!
