JOY

It is the right of every believer to live in the assurance that he is reconciled to God, that God loves him, and that he is God's child. 

If he does not live this way, he has only himself to blame.  If there is any starving at God's table, it is because the guest cheats himself, for the feast is superabundant!

If, however, a believer begins to consistently live with a sense of pardon through the sprinkling of the precious blood, and with a delightful sense of perfect reconciliation with the great God, he will possess a joy unspeakable and full of glory (I Peter 1:8).  I pray that you will begin to live this way.

If the future looks gloom and frightening, my joy is shallow. 

If my salvation is still a matter of chance and uncertainty, unmingled joy is not mine, and deep peace is still out of my reach.

But, my outlook changes when I know that He in whom I have rested has enough power and grace to complete what He has begun in me (Philippians 1:6).  I see my future differently when I see the work of Christ as no halfway redemption, but a complete and eternal salvation. 

Peace comes when I perceive that the promises are established on an unchangeable basis, and are “yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20) in Christ Jesus, confirmed by oath and sealed by blood. 

When I realize all this, my soul has perfect contentment.