February 14

That your joy may be full. - John 16:24.

WITH many Christians their joy is feeble, stinted, and ever varying. Yet there is a fulness of this joy-a twofold fulness- there is an absolute fulness of this joy. This is reserved for the believer, in another world, when he “shall be presented before the throne of his glory with exceeding joy.” “In thy presence,” says the Psalmist, “is fulness of ‘joy, and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” The other is comparative, and this is attainable here. The Apostle prayed on behalf of the Romans, that they might be “filled with all joy and peace in believing;” and here the Saviour intimates that the completion of this joy is very desirable. It is so on three grounds.

First, As the ornament and recommender of religion. There is nothing adorns the doctrine of God our Saviour, or that recommends religion to those around us, more than this joy; we should therefore be careful to showmen that there is a reality, an excellency, and a blessedness in religion.

Secondly, This joy is an assistant in duty. “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Sorrow is depressive and unnerving, joy is emboldening, impulsive and communicative. If this joy abounded, we should be less ashamed and afraid of confessing what we believe in the heart. How it enlivens duty and feeds zeal! This joy is like oil to the wick of a lamp, and like wind to the sail of a ship: it sets all, and keeps all, in motion. It weans the believer’s heart from the world by finding a substitute infinitely richer and sweeter-

“As, by the light of open day,

The stars are all conceal’d,

So earthly pleasures fade away

When Jesus is reveal’d.”

Thirdly, This full joy is a supporter in the hour of affliction. “In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul.” What could have been more distressing than the situation of the church in the days of Habakkuk? “Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be on the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:” yet, says she, “I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”