0864. The Beauty of Joy

The Beauty of Joy

"Then he said onto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh_8:10).

The Holy Spirit calls upon saints to rejoice: "Rejoice!" He says; "and, again I say Rejoice!" (Php_4:4).

If there is one thing that disgraces and disowns God; if there is one thing that despoils and destroys the victory of the saints, it is the groans and the gruntings of despondent hearts.

If there is one thing that spells defeat in the battle, it is the murmurings of the rank and file.

No wonder that God thinned out the ranks of Gideon's host. What could God accomplish with a bunch of men who were not eager for the fray?

No wonder that Jehoshaphat appointed singers to lead his battle against the children of Ammon and Moab.

2Ch_20:21-22 : "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten."

God wants His saints to rejoice. He wants to take from them the spirit of heaviness and to anoint them with the oil of happiness.

When the Temple of Solomon was dedicated, "It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the House was filled with a cloud, even the House of the Lord; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the House of God" (2Ch_5:13-14).

The glory of the Lord will always fill the house where saints are filled with joy.

God delights in our praise. He wants us to rejoice and sing. He wants us to praise the Lord with gladness.

Why is childhood so attractive? It is the time of joy and of gladness, Nothing is more beautiful than the laughter of a little child.

"Smile a smile, and while you smile

Another smiles, and soon there's miles and

Miles of smiles: and life's worth while

If you will smile."

Jesus Christ wants us to honor Him with the ringing of joy bells in our hearts. He wants our faces to tell forth the joy that dwells within.

Illustration: The little girl who told the old donkey with his long face and drooping ears: "Oo looks just like grandpa," must have had a low estimation of the effect of her grandpa's "religion."

So may my life with gladness shine,

To pour the Gospel so Divine;

So may my songs and joy express

The Holy Gospel I profess.–Arranged.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR