December 19

Strength in joy

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).

The gladdest, brightest, happiest thing in all the universe is the Christian religion. There is so much trouble in the world; business men have so many anxieties; toiling men have so many fatigues; orphans have so many desolations. If there be any bright places on earth, show it to them. Let the Church of Jesus Christ be the most cheerful spot on earth


Remember that your physical health is closely allied to your spiritual. The heart and the liver are only a few inches apart, and what affects the one affects the other. A historian records that by the sound of great laughter in Rome, Hannibal’s assaulting army was frightened away in retreat. And there is in the great outbursting joy of a Christian’s soul that which can drive back any infernal besiegement. Rats love dark closets, and Satan loves to burrow in a gloomy soul.
—De Witt Talmage.

Joy is a fruit that will not grow
In nature’s barren soil;
All we can boast, till Christ we know,
Is vanity and toil.

But where the Lord has planted grace,
And made His glories known,
There fruits of heavenly joy and peace
Are found, and there alone.

A bleeding Savior seen by faith,
A sense of pard’ning love;
A hope that triumphs over death,
Give joys like those above. . . .

These are the joys which satisfy,
And sanctify the mind;
Which make the spirit mount on high,
And leave the world behind.
—John Newton.

If there is no sunshine in your religion, do not be surprised if nobody wants it.

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