Nehemiah 8:9-10 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said to all the people… That few men are profoundly happy is but too true. Nor is it difficult to account for the universal failure on man's part to compass the desires of his soul. 1. The sources on which he draws may be drained dry. 2. The satisfaction which these resources yield is a measurable quantity. 3. Men are not happy, because they seek happiness as an end, and not as a means. Now, if Christianity be Divine, it will accomplish for me what I cannot do for myself. It claims to give men true lasting happiness, because it opens a perennial fountain. In other words, the source of Christian joy is God. This joy is the secret of Christian strength. I. THE SOURCE OF CHRISTIAN JOY IS GOD. Not without significance that one of Divine attributes is "blessedness." God is absolutely happy in Himself, and happy in relation to His creatures. 1. We can tell something of a man's character and disposition by his works. Now God's works are full of gladness. There is joy in the streams, the woods, the meadows, the cornfields. 2. As in nature, so in grace. The Bible, from cover to cover, warrants the conclusion. The Old Dispensation a much brighter and more beautiful scheme than many superficial students will allow. Law, Prophets, Psalms are full of declarations that God's people are a happy people. Moses: "Happy art thou, O Israel, O people saved of the Lord!" David: "Blessed are the people that Know the joyful sound!" Isaiah: "With joy shall ye draw water from the wells of salvation." And when we turn to the New Testament the wittness becomes over whelming. The, Man of Sorrows" went to the house of feasting to hallow it with the sunshine of His presence, and to the house of mourning to make it radiant with His everlasting joy. One of His last bequests was this: "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." II. THE JOY OF GOD IS STRENGTH. 1. The joy of the Lord is our strength for service. No man can work well unless his heart is in it. The three essential elements of successful service are fitness, enjoyment, enthusiasm. God has a work for all that is in harmony with the best powers of each. 2. The joy of the Lord is our strength against temptation. We are tempted to doubt, but the joy of the Lord will afford a sufficient answer to all anxious questions. We are tempted to fear, but fear is the child of doubt or suspicion. We are tempted by the pleasures of sin, but God's ways are the ways of pleasantness. 3. The joy of the Lord is our strength for endurance. Christ: "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer," etc. (John 16:88). Paul: "I am filled with comfort," etc. (2 Corinthians 7:4). III. THE JOY OF THE LORD, THEREFORE, BECOMES A CHRISTIAN LAW OF LIFE. Ingratitude not to accept rich provision God has made for profoundest needs of human spirit. And, further, this provision stands in relation to our duty as means to an end. To neglect our joys is to leave our work undone. But it maybe said that our emotions are the creatures of circumstances. But then we are not the creatures of circumstances. The man who turns his thoughts in upon himself creates for himself an atmosphere in which there can be no joy. Look away from self to God. "Walk in the light, as He is in the light." Or if you must look at sell, let it be as "accepted in the Beloved"; if at the past, as forgiven; if at the present, as full of Divine favour; if at the future, as bright with all the promises of God. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. |
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