Making it Through the Hard Times Psalm 84:5-8

We can have joy in this life We are joyful when we focus on God Joyful is the man whose strength is “in” you Joyful is the man who has the “highway in his heart” We see the “pilgrimage” imagery Probably literal Could also be figurative

We can have joy in this life Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

We can have joy even in the midst of hardship Could be “valley of Balsam” trees Or “valley of weeping” Context shows that it is a desert But God gets them through it! “They pass through the valley of Baca, regarding it as a place of springs, as if the early rain had covered it with blessing!” (JSB)

We can have joy even in the midst of hardship God helps us through the hard times Psalm 46:1-3 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”

We can have joy even in the midst of hardship 2 Cor 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Our joy is complete at the end of our journey They get stronger as they go? They go from their own strength to God’s strength? “They pass from strong place to strong place” (outer to inner wall) They meet with God!

Our joy is complete at the end of our journey We have joy now 1 Peter 1:8-9 “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Our joy is complete at the end of our journey But we look forward to never ending joy Revelation 7:17 “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Our joy is complete at the end of our journey Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

When we remember all that God does for us, we respond with prayer Psalm 4:1 “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!