July 1
The Security of the Christian's Joy
The Christian's Daily Treasury"Your joy no man taketh from you."—John 16:22.
THREE things may be here noticed, with regard to the Christian's joy.
ITS NATURE. How shall we describe it? The source from whence it flows is pure and holy. God the Father is the object of this joy, Christ is its medium, and the Spirit its promoter. Believers rejoice in the perfections of the Divine Being. His unerring wisdom is their guide, his almighty power their guard, his holiness promotes their sanctification, his justice avenges their wrongs, his faithfulness is their shield and buckler, his infinity is the extent of their inheritance, his eternity the date of their happiness, and his immutability the rock of their rest. They rejoice in things pertaining to God; in the Gospel, because it brings life and immortality to light; in doctrines and precepts, as the rule of their faith and practice; in the promises, as the ground of their encouragement and hope; and in divine ordinances, as promoting their holiness and happiness.
ITS EXCELLENCY. Consider some of its properties.
It is real. The pleasures and delights of the world are only a delusion, but there is a solid reality in the Christian's joy. Was Moses deluded, when he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season? Was David deluded, when he rejoiced in God as his rock, his tower, and his strong defence? Was Paul deluded, when he triumphed in the cross of Christ?
It is spiritual. It is so in its nature, source, tendency, and effects. It arises from the possession of a spiritual principle, and is cherished by the contemplation of spiritual objects.
It is hidden. The world knoweth us not. Believers are designated God's "hidden ones." God, the object of their joy, dwells in invisible brightness; like the grace of hope, it enters into that within the veil.
ITS SECURITY. "Your joy no man taketh from you." Temporal losses cannot deprive the Christian of this treasure: it is said of the believing Hebrews that they took joyfully the spoiling of their goods. Tribulation cannot, for they "rejoice in tribulation." Death, so far from injuring, will perfect this joy. Passing by the world's delusions, let us seek that joy which is not like the yielding sand or bursting bubble; but which resembles the rock, defying the raging tempests, and the lashing waves; and which shall flourish in the Christian's breast, when rocks and hills have passed away in the world's last convulsion, and nature itself shall sink in ruins.