October 5

"These things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves." — John 17:13.

In this verse our Lord assigns the reason why he offered up his intercessory prayer in the presence and hearing of his disciples. Our subject is Christian joy. View

Its NATURE. It is an inward elevation of soul, arising from the lively exercise of faith in God as our eternal portion. Let us look at some of the properties of it.

It is a satisfying joy. David felt it so, and said, "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness." All other joy ends in dissatisfaction. "Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness."

It is a hidden joy. The subject of it is the hidden man of the heart; its object is an unseen God; its medium an unseen Saviour; its end an unseen glory. Its real nature and delightful influence are unseen to the men of the world.

It is a spiritual joy. It is designated "joy in the Holy Ghost." Every thing connected with it is spiritual; and very different from the elevation of the natural feelings.

It is an abiding joy. The sun of carnal mirth shines brightly, with a false light, for a time, but at death, sets in a cloud, and is succeeded by the blackness and darkness of eternal despair; but that of spiritual joy is only irradiated by the darkness of death, and rises in brighter effulgence and unmingled splendor in the day of eternity, never more to be obscured.

It is an unspeakable joy. 1 Peter 1:8. Personal experience can give the best illustration of it; and it affirms that wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. These periods of joy, says one, are among the brightest spots in our life—they are sparkles which fall from heaven's altar—they are lotus flowers in the wilderness, whose blossom-cups are full of dew—they are birds of paradise, that glance by on starry plume—they are winged honey, carrying only this one sting, that they make everything else tasteless.

"How happy is the Christian's state! His sins are all forgiven; A cheering ray confirms the grace, And lifts his hopes to heaven."