Isaiah 66:10–14

A river is a fascinating element that coils itself through the countryside. Usually the waters will flow, quietly glistening in the sun. Sometimes the bank of the river will creep closer and closer to the middle as the waters drop. Other times the waters will rush upward, overrunning the banks and flooding the countryside. It is the latter picture the Lord uses to describe his grace that he pours out on his church throughout the ages—Jerusalem as it is called in these verses.  

As one who believes in Jesus as your Savior, you are a member of his church. There are times that you rejoice with the church. When people learn about Jesus as their Savior from sin and become members of his church, your heart is gladdened. When people receive the assurance of the forgiveness of sins, your heart is overjoyed. But there are also times when you mourn over the church. When believers endure hardships or trials, you are saddened. When persecution rears its ugly head, you grieve. But in all of these scenarios, your God says to those in the church: "Rejoice." 

He can say that because in each of these scenarios, his grace continues to overflow over his church like a flooding river. When someone comes to faith in Jesus, they join his church as an heir of eternal life (Galatians 3:26). When the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed, the church receives peace from God. When hardship strikes in its many forms, God's protective hand preserves his beloved (Psalm 91). As persecution rains down on the church, God as a refuge and strength will not fall (Psalm 46). Through his Word, God gives his church this comfort and much more. And you also can rejoice, for you are a member of his church.