LET THE RIGHTEOUS BE GLAD

Ps.68:3 – But the righteous will be joyful; they will rejoice before God;
Yes, they will rejoice with gladness.

Jonathan Edwards used to say that there were no limitations or restrictions to the amount of joy available to the godly. That is a strange statement to those who have no idea that the things of God can be and should be enjoyable. Most think that Christianity is the opposite, a restriction on the enjoyment of life but nothing could be further from the truth. David said it like this, “In the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures evermore”. There is no lack of joy to those who follow the Lord, true joy begins when we turn to the Lord. Here is how Spurgeon describes this.

“The presence of God on the throne of grace is an overflowing source of delight to the godly; and let them not fail to drink of the streams which are meant to make them glad. Let them rejoice before God. The courtiers of the happy God should wear the garments of gladness, for in his presence is fulness of joy. That presence, which is the dread and death of the wicked, is the desire and delight of the saints. Yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Let them dance with all their might, as David did, for very joy. No bounds should be set to joy in the Lord. “Again, I say, rejoice, “says the apostle, as if he would have us add joy to joy without measure or pause. When God is seen to shine propitious from above the mercy-seat in the person of our Immanuel, our hearts must needs leap within us with exultation, if we are indeed among those made righteous in his righteousness, and sanctified by his Spirit. Move on, O army of the living God, with shouts of abounding triumph, for Jesus leads the van.”

Worship could be described as the enjoyment of the Lord. This is a joy foreign to those who don’t know the Lord for themselves, this joy is found only in His presence. Maybe you are far away from this kind of experience, maybe today will mark the beginning of a new day of joy in your life. Take a few moments and get alone with the Lord. Sing to Him with your whole heart and you may just be surprised at what happens next.