Glad, what does it mean? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as displaying and experiencing joy and pleasure; being happy; being grateful. When you are glad, your heart glows, your face shines, and it shows up in your actions. Day-to-day challenges, especially now with the Pandemic of the Coronavirus, often hinder us from being glad. It is easier to be sad, anxious, afraid, and complaining. If we can keep our focus on the LORD, trusting Him, it can make a difference (Prov. 3:5-6). “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psa. 118:24). The good days and the bad days, the LORD has made them all. Let us rejoice and be glad. There are 89 “glad” verses in the Bible. Here are some of those glad verses that can help us get through the bad days with a glad face, glad heart, and glad actions.
Sing Praise
“I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most high” (Psa. 9:2). I don’t have the gift of singing, but when I am alone, I loudly sing praise to the Lord. It is amazing how singing praises lifts my spirits, turns my mind to God, and makes me glad. “O let the nations (America) be glad and sing for joy…” (Psa. 67:4).
He Knows our Troubles
“I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy; for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities (troubles, conflicts)” (Psa. 31:7). “O satisfy us early with thy mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (Psa. 90:14). God is all-knowing. Nothing surprises Him. Our troubles, our sorrows, our fears, are all known to Him. And, He has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). We can depend on His mercies and compassions for they fail not and are new every morning (Lam. 3:22,23). Therefore, I will be glad and rejoice.
Meditate on the LORD
“My meditation (thoughts) of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD” (Psalm 104:34). Take time every day to meditate on the Lord. Read your Bible, talk to God in prayer, give your worries and fears to Him. Too often we are glued to the television, social media, and news media, which can fill our minds with fear and anxiety. While we need to know, to some degree, what is going on in the world, we need to back away and turn our thoughts to the Lord who is sovereign and in ultimate control. Our peace comes from Him. “Thou wilt keep him (us) in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed (focused) on thee: because he (we) trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3,4). Meditating on the Lord will give you strength, peace, joy, and pleasure, making you glad.
Meet Together to Worship
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psalm 122:1). “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… but exhorting (teaching, encouraging) one another…” (Hebrews 10:25). I realize the church is the people not the building, but meeting together in the house of the Lord is a source of gladness. I look forward to being with our church family to share burdens and praises, and to hear God’s Word. It is something I have done since childhood. For the time being however, because of the current crisis (Coronavirus), we are not able to meet together in the normal way. Thanks to technology, we are able to meet via Facebook Live, Live Streaming, Drive-in church services, etc. In fact, we are able to visit several churches and hear different preachers through this media. God is good to provide what we need. “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Psalm 126:3). I look forward to the time when we can again meet together in the church building. I will be glad to hear, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”
Look to the Future
I remember the late Dr. Bill Rice (Bill Rice Ranch) saying, “Our future is as bright as the promises of God.” Knowing that God will keep all His promises, we can look to the future which will cause us to be glad now. “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (Isaiah 25:9).
“Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12). “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage (in Heaven) of the Lamb (Jesus) is come, and his wife (those in Christ) hath made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7). Yes, the time is coming when all sorrow and sighing, sickness and death, loneliness and isolation, fear and worry, weeping and crying, and sin will be no more. All things will be new. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away… Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:4-5). I am glad! I am glad! What about you?
O, Say, but I’m Glad
There is a song in my heart today, Something I never had;Jesus has taken my sins away,Oh, say, but I’m glad.
Refrain:Oh, say, but I’m glad, I’m glad,Oh, say, but I’m glad,Jesus has come and my cup’s overrun;Oh, say, but I’m glad.
Wonderful, marvelous love He brings,Into a heart that’s sad;Through darkest tunnels the soul just sings,Oh, say, but I’m glad.
We have a fellowship rich and sweet,Tongues can never relate;Abiding in Him, the soul’s Retreat—Oh, but say, but it’s great.
Won’t you come to Him with all your care,Weary and worn and sad?You, too, will sing as His love you share,Oh, say, but I’m glad.
This is written because I care… Carlene
