EPC Australia

And yet many believe, or pretend to believe, that religion is a joyless thing.

The heart has very little, if any, share in other enjoyments. Those delights only gratify the appetites, and strike the senses, and charm the imagination. But where is the heart? Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful, and the end of that mirth is heaviness. In religion, the heart finds relief, repose, satisfaction, joy. "Yes, the heart of those who are fully assured of their condition, who have already attained, or have far advanced in the divine life." Nay, says the Prophet, Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. And there are three reasons to authorize it.

First, because it is an evidence of grace. They may draw a conclusion against themselves, and refuse to be comforted; but no man can seek to know and enjoy, and serve and resemble, God from mere nature. Actions may not indicate the state of the mind, but desires spring from it. We may be forced to do, but we cannot be compelled to prefer, and to choose.

Secondly, because their success is sure. This is the case in no other pursuit. In the fields of worldly labour, we may spend our strength for nought, and in vain. A rival may bear off from us a prize, which we have long been chasing, and at the very moment we are seizing it. The cup of enjoyment, filled with eager hope, is often dashed to the ground from the very lip that touches it. But their heart shall live that seek God. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless return again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled. Is there unfaithfulness with God? Did he ever say to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me, in vain?

Thirdly, because, when they have found, their aim and their wish in seeking are fully answered. All they can desire is treasured up in him; and they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. As to success in other cases, the wise man tells us, all is vanity and vexation of spirit: vexation, if we lose; and vanity, if we gain. To one of these alternatives we are inevitably subjected. We must be disappointed either in acquiring them — and this is often the case — or in possessing them — and this is always the case.

"In vain we seek a heaven below the sky.
The world has false but flattering charms:
Its distant joys show big in our esteem,
But lessen still as they draw near the eye:
In our embrace the visions die;
And when we grasp the airy forms,
We lose the pleasing dream."

But while every thing earthly falls short of hope, it is not possible to form an expectation adequate to the riches of the glory of the inheritance in the saints. What is it to have God himself for our portion and exceeding joy! To be blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ! To realize a happiness, that solitude increases, that trouble improves, that death perfects! As it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

While thus the heart of them that seek him should rejoice, the heart of others should be induced to seek him. At present, he is not far from any one of you. He is even inviting you to seek him. Yet a little while and it will be too late. Therefore, "seek ye the Lord while he may be found; and call ye upon him while he is near."

Morning Exercises For Everyday In The Year
By Rev. William Jay