Joy in the Lord

From: Faithful Words for Old and Young: Volume 10

• 1 min. read • grade level: 8

1 Peter 1:3-8³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: ⁷That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: ⁸Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:3‑8).

AMIDST all our fading earthly ties there is the heavenly One who changes not—"whom not having seen we love." What reticence we find in ourselves and our fellow saints about Him! Surely this love is not to be unexpressed, though the "joy" is "unspeakable." The Word says, "yet believing ye REJOICE." This is active EXPRESSED joy, and where the joy exists in health and vigor it must find vent. There may be quiet complacent peace and rest in a sense of salvation, but that is comparatively selfish; the saint should be occupied by and with Jesus Christ so as to appreciate and find delight in His own beauties and excellences, and thus not only bow before Him with silent overpowering adoration, "but shout aloud of His praise.”

Oh, may we seek in our chamber more intimate, soul-searching communion with Him, and we SHALL have something to say ABOUT HIM! "They that loved the Lord, spake often one to another."—Extract.

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