iChristian

Spiritual  Joy! 
 (by Octavius Winslow) 

Spiritual joy is a holy, sensitive plant. 
It shrinks from the rude, ungentle touch; 
from every influence uncongenial with its 
heaven born nature. Watch it with sleepless 
vigilance; shield it with every hallowed defense. 

There are many hostile influences to which 
it is exposed, any one of which will seriously 
injure it. Temptation courted, sin tampered 
with, worldliness indulged, the creature 
idolized, means of grace slighted, Christ 
undervalued. 

Any one of these things will dampen your joy, 
and cause it to shrink, and compel it to retire. 

But nothing will sooner or more effectually 
do this than looking away from the Object 
and Source of joy, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

There is everything in Christ to make you a 
joyful Christian. There is all redundance of 
grace to subdue your corruptions, an 
overflowing sympathy to soothe your sorrows, 
a sovereign efficacy in His blood to cleanse 
your guilt, infinite resources to meet all your 
needs, His ever encircling presence around 
your path, His ceaseless intercession on your 
behalf in heaven. His loving attention of all 
you feel, and fear, and need. 

  Oh, is this not enough to make your heart a 
constant sunshine, and your life a pleasant psalm?