Psalms 4:7 “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. 8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”
The blessings, comforts, and benefits of life do make us “glad”. But, the “gladness in my heart”, put there by our Lord, far exceeds any carnal joys this world can possibly afford us. The Psalmist allows that prosperity and its benefits do make us “glad”, but the “gladness in my heart” yields “more” “gladness” than even the best carnal things. To feel the presence of the Lord “in my heart” yields “gladness” of such sweetness, love, comfort, and majesty that nothing in this present world can match it. This “gladness” comes sometimes when we are quietly meditating upon our Lord. This “gladness” comes sometimes when we are kneeling in prayer. This “gladness” comes sometimes when we are gathered in the House of God to worship. This “gladness” comes sometimes even when we are facing ruinous tribulation. So great is this “gladness” that it cannot be described. So great is this “gladness” that the Child of God desires it above all things in our natural life. Oh, how great is our “gladness” and sweet is our rest when we can “lay” “down in peace, and sleep”. It is certainly true that, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33), but when we take our minds off the “tribulation” and then meditate upon our “LORD”, we can enjoy “both” “peace, and sleep”. It is “only” our “LORD” that “makest me dwell in safety”. When the Lord’s disciples were in an overwhelming storm and were absolutely helpless to save themselves, they came to the Lord and pleaded with Him, saying “save us: we perish”; the Lord simply “rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:24-26). Let us never for an instant forget our Lord’s comforting words, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33); that is, He has overcome the source and the cause of our tribulation. May the “LORD” bless that we can all spend our time in loving awe of His Sovereign Majesty, while “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7)!