I Will Joy in the God of My Salvation
The secret to joy is to rise by an act of faith and praise God as an act of choice, despite our circumstances.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that true joy is a choice made through faith rather than a mere feeling. He encourages believers to rise above their struggles and choose to praise God, even in the face of adversity, as illustrated in scriptures like Philippians 4:4 and James 1:2. Simpson highlights that joy often comes after a struggle with sadness, and that offering praise can be a significant sacrifice, especially when one is burdened by grudges or self-pity. By consciously deciding to rejoice in the Lord, believers can break free from the chains of negativity and embrace a life of joy. This act of faith leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling spiritual life.
Text
The secret of joy is not to wait until you feel happy, but to rise, by an act of faith, out of the depression which is dragging you down and begin to praise God as an act of choice. This is the meaning of such passages as these: Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice (Philippians 4:4). I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice (Philippians 1:18). Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (James 1:2). In all these cases there is an evident struggle with sadness and then the triumphs of faith and praise. This is what is meant-at least in part-by the sacrifice of praise.
A sacrifice is that which costs us something.
And when a man or woman has some cherished grudge or wrong and is harboring it, nursing it, dwelling on it, and quite determined to enjoy a miserable time in selfish grumbling, it costs us no little sacrifice to throw off the morbid spell, to rise out of the mood of self-commiseration in wholesome and holy determination and say, I will rejoice in the Lord (Habakkuk 3:18); I will count it all joy (James 1:2).
Sermon Outline
- I. The Secret of Joy
- A. It is not to wait until you feel happy
- B. But to rise by an act of faith and praise God as an act of choice
- II. The Importance of Sacrificial Praise
- A. A sacrifice costs us something
- B. Throwing off the morbid spell of self-commiseration requires determination
- III. Overcoming Grudges and Wrong
- A. It costs us to throw off the spell and rise above
- B. We must make a wholesome and holy determination to rejoice in the Lord
Key Quotes
“The secret of joy is not to wait until you feel happy, but to rise, by an act of faith, out of the depression which is dragging you down and begin to praise God as an act of choice.” — A.B. Simpson
“Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” — A.B. Simpson
“I will rejoice in the Lord; I will count it all joy.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Make a conscious decision to praise God despite your feelings of sadness or grudges.
- See the opportunity for praise and joy in every circumstance, even in times of temptation or struggle.
- Throw off the morbid spell of self-commiseration and rise above to rejoice in the Lord.