The Joy of the Lord

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The people who had wept before, under a sense of sin, were now called upon to rejoice. Holy mourning prepares the way for spiritual mirth. Clear shining follows rain.

It was well that they kept themselves under such control that they could weep or rejoice as they were bidden.

Their joy was remarkable for its spirituality and universality, and in these and other ways it was an example for us.

I. THERE is A JOT OF DIVINE ORIGIN. “The joy of the Lord.”

1. It rejoices in God himself, his character, his doings, his

commands, and all that makes up his glory. It rejoices especially that he himself is ours. “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” Phil. iii. 1.

2. It possesses a deep sense of reconciliation, acceptance,

adoption, and union with Christ Jesus. Joy must necessarily flow from all these founts of blessing. Is. xii. 3.

8. It enjoys assurance of future perseverance, victory, and perfection, by reason of the finished work of Christ, and the immutability and omnipotence of divine grace. Heb. vi. 17, 18.

4. It is exalted by the present personal fellowship with God

out of which it springs. “We also joy in God.”
Rom. v. 11.

5. It is happy in the honor of service. 1 Tim. i. 12.

6. It is acquiescent in the divine will, in providence, affliction, disappointment, etc. Rom. v. 3.

7. It is full of hope for the future — a well of delight.

II. THAT JOT is A SOURCE OF STRENGTH.” The joy of the

Lord is your strength.”

1. It arises from considerations which strengthen. The

same truths which make us glad also make us
strong.

2. It is sustained by a life which is strong, even the life of

Christ within us, maintained by the Holy Ghost.

3. It fortifies against temptation, or persecution, or affliction, and so it proves a present strength in time of need.

4. It fits for abounding service. He who is joyous of heart

himself will seek the good of others.

5. It forbids all fear by giving a sense of ability to face

every enemy. It is calm, constant, humble, real, deep-seated strength.

III. THAT STRENGTH WHICH COMES OF HOLY JOY LEADS TO

PRACTICAL RESULTS.

1. Praise.” Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God; and

all the people answered, Amen, Amen” (verse 6).

2. Sacrifices of joy.” They offered great sacrifices, and

rejoiced.”

3. Expressions of joy.” God had made them rejoice with

great joy.”

4. Family happiness. “The wives also and the children

rejoiced.”

5. This joy insured the notice of the neighbors;” so that

the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.”

IV. THAT JOY is WITHIN REACH.

It was God’s gift, but it came by:

Hearing attentively.” The ears of all the people were

attentive unto the book of the law” (verse 3).
Worshipping devoutly.” They bowed their heads,

and worshipped the Lord “(verse 6). Mourning penitently.” All the people wept, when

they heard the words of the law” (verse 9). Understanding clearly.” Great mirth, because tkey

had understood the words that were declared unto

them” (verse 12).

Obeying earnestly. “They made booths, and sat under the booths,” etc. (verse 17). Let us seek after joy in God, through our Lord Jesus

Christ, by whom we have received the atonement;

for this is a true, safe, sanctifying joy. It is such an

ornament as well becomes the thoroughly devoted

believer while on earth, and prepares him to unite in

the hallelujahs of heaven. There is such a thing as a joyless heart. God help us

to have no personal experience of it! There are also deadly joys. From these let us flee to

the living joys of grace.

SPARKLES.

It is a bad fireplace where all the heat goes up the chimney; true religion spreads joy over all around. Yet the fire warms first the chimney in which it burns, and grace comforts the heart in which it dwells. Nobody will be warmed by a cold hearth.

Faith is the key of happiness; use it at the gates of the Lord’s house, and chambers of bliss shall open to you. If

) t jr religion only admits you into vaults and dungeons it must bj very incomplete. Christ comes from ivory palaces, and le*ls his chosen into banqueting houses.

That the Christian religion is favorable to human happiness, is, I believe, the secret conviction even of many who may not openly confess it; hence it is no uncommon thing to hear even the openly wicked say,” I believe that the real Christian is the happiest man in the world.” I recollect the remark of a certain sceptic, made to myself, in the hour of affliction, “Oh, sir, you Christians have the advantage of us!” — From “Addresses to Young Men,’1 by Rev. Daniel Baker.

Mr. Moody says: “I never knew a case where God used a Discouraged man or woman to accomplish any great thing for Lim. Let a minister go into the pulpit in a discouraged state of mind, and it becomes contagious; it will soon reach the pews, and the whole church will be discouraged. So with a Sabbath-school teacher; I never knew a worker of any kind who was full of discouragement, and who met with great success in the Lord’s work. It seems as if God cannot make large use of such men.”

When wo are weakened by sadness we do not speak attrac tively. Our statements lack certainty and energy. We are apt to quarrel over trifles, to be turned aside by discouragements, and in general to do our work badly. Soldiers march best to music, and sailors work most happily when they can join in a cheery note; and I am sure we do the same.

Joyful Christians set the sinner’s mouth a watering for the dainties of true religion. When the prodigal returned, he was shod, and clothed, and adorned, but we do not read that the servants were to put meat into his mouth. Yet they were to feed him, and ttey did so by themselves feasting: “Let us eat and be merry.” This would be the surest way to induce the poor hungry son to make a meal. If saints were happier, sinners would be lar more ready to believe.