Joyful, Joyful
By John Woodward
October 12, 1998
The hymn by Henry Van Dyke beautifully expresses the importance of having a merry heart:
Joyful, Joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love,
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day.
This hymn declares that God is our ultimate source of joy. The Scriptures agree: "the fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy" (Gal 5:22), and "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh 8:10). The life of abiding in Christ should bear the fruit of joy continually. Jesus declared "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:11).
Since Christ is our source of wisdom, He enables us to live above our discouraging circumstances. Proverbs prescribes, "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." ( 17:22).
This quality of life does not exempt us from valid emotions such as sorrow and grief. For instance, the apostle Paul's team could admit their feelings, yet be sustained by the supernatural joy of their indwelling Savior: "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things". (2 Cor 6:10). This divine grace of joy is available to every child of God in an unlimited supply. Yet we are responsible to keep abiding in Christ, thereby maintaining unhindered fellowship with our Source of joy.
Another requirement for experiencing joy is to consciously "set our minds" on the infinite blessings which belong to the true believer in Christ. "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Col 3:2,3). If we are encumbered by problems such as guilt (unconfessed sin-Psalm 51:7-11), worry (Phil 4:4-7), or ingratitude (1 Thess 5:16-18), joy will trickle out of our heart like water through a sieve. On the other hand, if we focus on our blessings like corporate worship, personal salvation, witnessing, discipleship, freedom in Christ, and our hope, then we can "rejoice evermore". (Deut 16:15; Luke 10:20; John 4:36; 3 Jn 3,4; John 8:31,32; Rom 12:12).
F.J.Huegal points the way to grasping the implications of letting Christ live through us: "Oh, the unutterable glory of this mystic union with Christ!. . . The faintest glimmer of light from His holy countenance, beside which the sun is but a shadow, suffices the heart. Paul could not have done otherwise than sing there in prison when at midnight with Silas, he rejoiced. His back was bleeding with stripes; it was midnight; he was in prison. But he sings as a participant of Christ; heaven's ineffable light bursts in about him, and he forgets all but he fact of Christ." (Bone of His Bone p. 83).
With Christ as our life, let us rejoice evermore!
Our blessed God, we rejoice that You have given us every spiritual blessing in Christ. We yearn to abide in Christ so that His joy in our hearts may be overflowing. In Your name, amen.
JBW
Oct. 12, '98
The purpose of Grace Notes is to highlight the dynamics of abundant living as summarized in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (NKJV). Many articles are available online to freely use for personal ministry, newsletters, etc.. (To find an article by topic or key word, click "Grace Notes"/search.) Please pray for God's blessing on this internet ministry.
Grace Fellowship is an international discipleship, counseling, and training training ministry. (GFI does not charge fees for counseling, but is supported through tax deductible contributions. In Canada, through Crossways to Life, 79 Weber St. E. Kitchener, ON. N2H 1C6
Phone: 519-696-2500 http://www.CrossWaystoLife.org.) To request resources or inquire about hosting a conference, please contact us: john@gracenotebook.com.
Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward
from Grace Fellowship International
President of GFI - Dr. Charles Solomon,
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 USA.
Phone: 865-429-0450 Fax: 865-429-0144
Home page: http://www.GraceFellowshipIntl.com
Home study: http://www.GFICounselingInstitute.com
Online video and audio: http://www.GFImultimedia.com
Online video channel: http://www.YouTube.com/gracefellowshipintl
Multi-language books & tracts: http://www.SolomonPublications.org
"Man as Spirit, Soul, and Body": http://www.BiblicalPsychology.net
Praise & prayer news: http://gfipraiseandprayer.blogspot.com
Children's Ministry: http://www.CarawaySt.com
GFI Bookstore: GFI site and 1-888-66GRACE (toll free in USA)
Online giving: http://www.gracefellowshipintl.com/ Home / Give
Subscribe ...
Subscribe to receive Grace Notes for free!
You may also wish to read ....
Next article by date ...
Life-Changing Forgiveness by John Woodward
Other publications by John Woodward ...
The Roots of Insecurity (Part 1) by John Woodward
The Roots of Insecurity (Part 2) by John Woodward
The Roots of Insecurity Part 3 by John Woodward
The Roots of Insecurity Part 4 by John Woodward
The Roots of Insecurity Part 5 by John Woodward
The Ultimate Blessing by John Woodward
The Roots of Insecurity (Part 6) by John Woodward
Forfeited Discipleship: The Rich Young Ruler (Part 1) by John Woodward
Forfeited Discipleship: The Rich Young Ruler (part 2) by John Woodward
Forfeited Discipleship: The Rich Young Ruler (Part 3) by John Woodward
View Comments
Add Comment