It is a blessed thing to cultivate in our hearts, not only the sense of what God has done for us, but also what He in grace has made us to be for Himself. It is most blessed to get away from ourselves, and entering into the secret of God's presence, there to learn what those sentiments are which fill His heart. The Spirit of God makes those who believe in Christ to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:88Whom 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 1:8).) That is our side of this joy, but "it is meet that we should make merry and be glad" is His, for the Father has His joy as well, and it is boundless. He rejoices to have children near to Him-children who can enjoy Himself. "Christ... suffered... the just for the unjust, that He might bring us so God," and we "joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation)." Rom. 5:1111And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5:11).
We are made nigh by the precious blood of Christ, so that we may enjoy Himself. It is not merely what He gives us, but Himself, who is to be the portion of our souls, and this is the fruit of the new birth. Because we are born again, we enjoy God Himself. We "joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ." But what is this new birth? It is our getting a new nature, which has the capacity to enjoy and understand and know God. The soul gets this as the fruit of His grace. We are made to enjoy God, but then He has His side as well. His joy is to have His children near to Him, and we are to have the sense that there is nothing between our hearts and Himself. Thus we see there is the joy of the Father, and the children's joy likewise.
“Thou the prodigal hast pardoned,
Kissed us with a Father's love;
Killed the fatted calf, and called us
E'er to dwell with Thee above.
Clothed in garments of salvation,
At Thy table is our place;
We rejoice, and Thou rejoicest.
In the riches of Thy grace.”
W. Wolston