It was from the book of Habakkuk. Newton's experience was considered normal. Paul exults in the fruit which the apostles' preaching brought forth in the people of Thessalonica. The climax is Spirit-inspired joy which comes to birth and thrives even in the midst of hardship. The gospel is the bedrock of it all.
Bedrock suggests foundation.
During my teenage years I read everything I could about the Battle of Britain. The exploits of the small number of young men who flew against overwhelming odds thrilled me. The tension mounted in their stories whenever one was shot down and had to parachute into the English Channel. The Search and Rescue Mission had to find him, or else the downed flier would soon be a drowned flier. Our joy at the news of the rescuer himself is the measure of our awareness of our need and our gratitude for the gift.