0867. The Present Joy

The Present Joy

"The fruit of the Spirit is * * joy" (Gal_5:22).

Fullness of joy must await our Lord's return. "In the world ye shall have tribulation." However, before we reach His presence, and while we walk 'mid earth's trials, we may have an enduring joy.

1. The present joy is not the joy that the world can give.

The wicked know nothing of this joy. They may indulge in the pleasures of the world and say to their heart, "I will rejoice in the labor of my own hands;" "I will eat, drink and be merry;" but ultimately all will be "vanity and vexation of spirit."

The wise man, Solomon, said in his heart: "Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure." He also said: "This also is vanity." He said of laughter, "It is mad;" and of mirth, "What doeth it?"

Pity the man who knows of nothing better than the pleasures of this life.

2. The present joy is not a joy dependent upon circumstances. Circumstances neither make joy, nor mar it.

Habakkuk said, Hab_3:17-19 : "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat: the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments."

Think of it! A man leaping and dancing with joy in a famine-swept field, in a devastated vineyard, in a wrecked and ruined olive orchard, in a flockless and barren pasture land. Under such conditions "hinds' feet" seem impossible. How can one walk in the high places of joy under such circumstances? The only answer is "I will joy in the God of my salvation."

Thank God, we can rejoice in tribulation (see Rom_12:12).

Let us read Act_5:41. How was it that Peter and John departed from the counsel, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer for His name? How was it that Paul and Silas sang at midnight with their feet in the stocks, and with their beaten backs upon the hard prison ground? Surely circumstances had nothing to do with their joy.

3. The present joy is the fruit of the Spirit. Such a joy could never grow in the gardens of this world.

Saints may TRY to be happy, but they try in vain. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

Joy is a result, not an effort.

The Spirit is a fountain of joy–let us drink of Him.

It is most blessed to observe how the disciples in the Book of Acts are described as being filled with the Spirit and joy.

In Act_2:46 : "They did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God."

In Act_5:41 : "They departed * * rejoicing * * to suffer shame."

In Act_6:15 : "Saw his face as it had been the face of an angel."

Act_8:8 : "And there was great joy in that city."

Act_8:39 : "And he went on his way rejoicing."

Act_13:52 : "And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost."

Act_15:3 : "And they caused great joy unto all the brethren."

Act_16:34 : The jailer "rejoiced, believing in God with all his house."

Act_20:24 : "So that I might finish my course with joy."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR