Hope and Joy

As mentioned in the previous post, I have been involved in a study that has brought much conviction - reminding me of the solemn and severe duty of being a shepherd of the flock of God ("Words to Winners of Souls" - by Horatius Bonar, 1809-1889). While it is, and has been a profitable time to examine my life and be rightly pruned of the LORD for growth, I was reminded this morning by my reading of Spurgeon that the believer is not to wallow in the muck and mire of his depravity. No, our Savior is too gracious, too loving and too anxious to impart to us life and joy. Let me share with you the reading of Spurgeon that reminded me of the blessed joy that is the possession of every believer in Christ (particularly as he or she is pruned by the LORD):

"The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."— Psalms 126:3

Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything, and to dwell more upon what they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life, and they will describe their continual conflicts, their deep afflictions, their sad adversities, and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet with scarcely any allusion to the mercy and help which God has vouchsafed them.

But a Christian whose soul is in a healthy state, will come forward joyously, and say, "I will speak, not about myself, but to the honour of my God. He hath brought me up out of an horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings: and He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God. The Lord hath done great things for me, whereof I am glad."

Such an abstract of experience as this is the very best that any child of God can present.

• It is true that we endure trials, but it is just as true that we are delivered out of them.
• It is true that we have our corruptions, and mournfully do we know this, but it is quite as true that we have an all-sufficient Saviour, who overcomes these corruptions, and delivers us from their dominion.

In looking back, it would be wrong to deny that we have been in the Slough of Despond, and have crept along the Valley of Humiliation, but it would be equally wicked to forget that we have been through them safely and profitably; we have not remained in them, thanks to our Almighty Helper and Leader, who has brought us "out into a wealthy place." The deeper our troubles, the louder our thanks to God, who has led us through all, and preserved us until now. Our griefs cannot mar the melody of our praise, we reckon them to be the bass part of our life's song, "He hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad."

Charles Spurgeon: Morning and Evening

Our blessed Savior said:

John 10:10 - I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 15:11- These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

We have such a hope and the possession of such joy. Lord grant that we might rightly experience the great joy that is ours by means of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Ed