Spiritual joys (Thomas Watson, c. 1620-1686)

Psalms 16:11

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” 

What are the differences between worldly joys 
and spiritual joys? The gleanings of spiritual joys, 
are better than the vintage of the worldly joys.

Spiritual joys help to make us BETTER; worldly 
joys often make us worse. "I spoke unto you in 
your prosperity; but you said—I will not hear." 
Pride and luxury are the two worms which
are bred from worldly pleasures. 

But spiritual joy is cordial medicine, which 
not only comforts, but purifies—
 it makes a Christian more holy;
 it causes an antipathy against sin;
 it infuses strength to live and suffer for Christ. 
Some colors not only delight the eye—but 
strengthen the sight. Just so, the joys of God 
not only refresh the soul—but strengthen it.
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." 

Spiritual joys are INWARD, they are heart joys. 
"Your heart shall rejoice." True joy is hidden within; 
worldly joy lies on the outside, like the dew which 
wets the leaf. "Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; 
when the laughter ends, the grief remains." Like a 
house which has a gilded frontispiece—but all the 
rooms within are in shambles. But spiritual joy lies 
most within. "Your heart shall rejoice." Divine joy 
is like a spring of water, which runs underground. 
Others can see the sufferings of a Christian—but 
they cannot see his joy. His joy is hidden manna
—hidden from the eye of the world; he has joyful 
music which others cannot hear. The marrow lies 
within—the best joy is within the heart.

Spiritual joys are SWEETER than worldly joys. 
"Your love is sweeter than wine!" Spiritual joys are 
a Christian's festival; they are the golden pot, and 
the sweet manna. They are so sweet, that they make 
everything else sweet! Spiritual joys sweeten health 
and estate, as sweet water poured on flowers makes 
them more fragrant and aromatic. Divine joys are so 
delicious and ravishing, that they put our mouth out 
of taste for earthly delights; just as he who has been 
drinking cordials, tastes little sweetness in water. 
Paul had so tasted these divine joys, that his mouth 
was out of taste for worldly things. The world was 
crucified to him—it was like a dead thing, he could 
find no sweetness in it. 

Spiritual joys are more PURE; they are not tempered 
with any bitter ingredients. A sinner's joy is mixed with 
dregs—it is embittered with fear and guilt—he drinks 
wormwood wine. But spiritual joy is not muddied with 
guilt—but like a crystal stream, it runs pure. Spiritual 
joy is a rose without prickles; it is honey without wax.

Spiritual joys are SATISFYING joys. "Ask, that your 
joy may be full." Worldly joys can no more fill the heart,
than a drop can fill an ocean! They may please the palate 
or imagination—but cannot satisfy the soul. "No matter 
how much we see—we are never satisfied. No matter 
how much we hear—we are not content." Eccles. 1:8. 
But the joys of God satisfy. "Your comforts delight my 
soul." Psalm 94:19. There is as much difference between 
spiritual joys and earthly joys—as between a banquet 
which is eaten—and one which is painted on the wall!

Spiritual joys are STRONGER joys than worldly joys. 
"Strong consolation." Heb 6:18. They are strong joys 
indeed, which can bear up a Christian's heart in trials 
and afflictions. "Having received the word in much 
affliction—with joy." These joys are roses which grow
in winter! These joys can sweeten the bitter waters of 
Marah! He who has these joys—can gather grapes from 
thorns, and fetch honey out of the carcass of a lion! 
At the end of the rod—a Christian tastes honey! "As 
sorrowing—yet always rejoicing." 

Spiritual joys are UNWEARIED joys. Other joys, when 
in excess, often cause loathing; too much honey nauseates. 
One may be tired of pleasure—as well as labor. King Xerxes 
offered a reward to him who could find out a new pleasure.
But the joys of God, though they satisfy—yet they never glut. 
A drop of joy is sweet—but the more of this wine the better! 
Such as drink of the joys of heaven—are never glutted. Their 
satiety is without loathing, because they still desire more of 
the joy with which they are satiated.

Spiritual joys are ABIDING joys. Worldly joys are soon 
gone. Such as bathe in the perfumed waters of pleasure—
may have joys which seem to be sweet—but they are swift. 
They are like meteors—which give a bright and sudden flash, 
and then disappear. But the joys which believers have are 
abiding; they are a blossom of eternity—a pledge of those 
rivers of pleasure which run at God's right hand! "In Your 
presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal 
pleasures!" Psalm 16:11

If God gives His people such joy in this life, oh! then, what 
glorious joy will He give them in heaven! "Enter into the joy 
of your Lord!" God keeps His best wine until last. What joy 
will that be—when the soul shall forever bathe itself in the
pure and pleasant fountain of God's love! What joy will that 
be—to see the orient brightness of Christ's face, and have 
the kisses of those lips which drop sweet-smelling myrrh! 
How may this set us all longing for that place where sorrow 
cannot live—and where joy cannot die!

Psalms 94:19

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.” 

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The Lord's Care of His People (James Smith)

Hosea 6:3

“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.” 

The Lord's care of His people is incessant. 

No parent was ever so vigilant over a precious and only child.

No gardener was ever so attentive to a delicate and favorite plant. 

God visits, He watches, He supplies. 

He studies our needs, and provides for each of them. 

He says, "I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it continually." Isaiah 27:3

God's SUPPLY will be constant — in every season. 
It will be suitable — like refreshing moisture to a thirsty plant. 
It will be in small portions — as the gently falling rain. 
It will be imperceptible — like the morning dews. 
It is by these divine 'supplies' that our graces are kept alive. 

If the Lord would cease to water — we would soon wither and die! 

Our dependence on Him is absolute!

Our obligations to His love are infinite!

Let us not imagine that we are not watered, because we do not sensibly feel it. The constancy, and the gentle gradual manner in which we are supplied, render His loving care virtually imperceptible.

James Smith,  "Daily Bible Readings for the Lord's Household"

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Home, sweet home! There is no place like home! (James Smith, 1860)

Hebrews 11:13

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” 

The day of life with them is ended. Its duties are ended. Its responsibilities are past. Its hours are fled away.

What a trying day some of them had! How stormy. How sultry. How often overcast. How gloomy. But it is now past — and past forever! The toils of the wilderness are over! They had much to afflict and pain them . . .
  a difficult and dangerous journey,
  a long wearisome march,
  many a heavy cross to carry,
  many a stubborn foe to face,
  many a painful doubt,
  numerous gloomy fears.

But now the wilderness is all behind them! The afflictions of the pilgrimage are terminated. Those sufferings were sharp, and some of them continued long. Many of them were endured in secret without sympathy, and without relief. They were soul sorrows, agony of mind — as well as sharp pains of body. But however multiplied, however severe, however protracted those sorrows — they are past and gone, never, never to return!

The sweetest repose is now enjoyed. The poor tabernacle has been taken down, and is laid in a quiet resting-place, until the resurrection morning. The soul is gone to be with Jesus. It has traveled through the rough path of life — and is now in God's presence, where there is fullness of joy, and pleasures for evermore!

As Christians, we are going to the same place. The graves will soon be ready for our bodies — and the mansions of glory for our souls. We are going home! Home to our Father's house! Home where our hearts have long been. Home where all our prayers will be answered, and all our best desires will be gratified. "Home, sweet home! There is no place like home!" Especially our home! A paradise without a tempting serpent! A paradise where all are holy, all are safe, all are happy. Those pure and perpetual joys, which are at God's right hand, await us! We taste them now, and are delighted with a sip — but there we shall soon drink full draughts of eternal glory, eternal joy, and eternal blessedness!

Amidst present toils and trials, dangers and distresses — when wearied, way-worn, and tempted to fret — remember that you will soon be HOME! Think, think, O my soul, of an eternity of enjoyment — when the sufferings of time are ended! "Weeping may remain for a night — but rejoicing comes in the morning!" Psalm 30:5

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What is it to be Lost? (C.H. Spurgeon)

What is it to be lost?

To be cast away from the presence of God, to be cast into hell, to have to suffer, and that forever, all that the justice of God can demand, all that the omnipotence of God can inflict.

Why, sirs, if I have but a headache, or a toothache for one brief hour, my patience can scarcely endure the torture.

What must it be to suffer such pains for a century? Man, I cannot guess what it must be!

What must it be to have ten thousand times worse pains than these for ever and ever?

But all the pangs and pains from which men suffer here are nothing to be compared with the woes and mental anguish of the world to come.

Oh, the agony of a spirit doomed, forlorn, accursed, upon which God shall put his foot in awful wrath and lift it up no more for ever!

And there, as you lie, tormented to the quick, you will have this to be your miserable portion: I heard the gospel, but I would not heed it; Christ was put before me, but I would not acknowledge him; I was entreated to believe in his name and fly to him for salvation, but I hesitated, hung in suspense, demurred, and at length denied him.

And all for what?

For a little drink, a little dance, a little sin that yielded me but slight pleasure, or for worldly gain, or for low and groveling vices, or for sheer carelessness and gaiety!

Lost, lost, lost! and lost for nothing!

A sinner damned! He lost his soul, but he did not gain the world. He gained only a little frivolous pleasure, even that poor pittance he spent in an hour, and then he was forever cast away!

There is a time, we know not when, A point we know not where, That marks the destiny of men, To glory or despair.

There is a line, by us unseen, That crosses every path; The hidden boundary between God's patience and his wrath.

To pass that limit is to die, To die, as if by stealth: It does not quench the beaming eye, Or pale the glow of health.

The conscience may be still at ease, The spirits light and gay; That which is pleasing still may please, And care be thrust away.

But on that forehead God has set Indelibly a mark, Unseen by man; for man as yet Is blind and in the dark.

And yet the doomed man's path below, Like Eden, may have bloomed; He did not, does not, will not know, Or feel that he is doomed.

He knows, he feels, that all is well, And every fear is calmed; He lives, he dies, he wakes in hell, Not only doomed but damned.

O where is your mysterious line, By which our path is crossed, Beyond which God himself has sworn, That he who goes is lost?

How far may we go on in sin? How long will God forbear? Where does hope end? and where begin The confines of despair?

An answer from the skies is sent - 'You that from God depart,  While it is called today, Repent!  And harden not your heart.'

C.H. Spurgeon, "The Soul's Great Crisis"

https://www.monergism.com/

The Patience of God (John MacDuff)

Romans 15:5

“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:” 

There is no more wondrous subject than this- "The Patience of God." Think of the lapse of ages during which that patience has lasted- 6OOO years. Think of the multitudes who have been the subjects of it- millions on millions, in successive climates and centuries. Think of the sins which have, all that time, been trying and wearying that patience-their number- their heinousness- their aggravation. The world's history is a consecutive history of iniquity, a lengthened provocation of the Almighty's forbearance. The Church, like a feeble ark, tossed on a mighty ocean of unbelief; and yet the world, with its cumberers, still spared! The cry of its sinful millions at this moment enters "the ears of the God of Sabbath," and yet, "for all this," His hand of mercy is "stretched out still!" 

And who is this God of patience? It is the Almighty Being who could strike these millions down in a moment; who could, by a breath, annihilate the world- no, who would require no positive or visible putting forth of His omnipotence to effect this, but simply to withdraw His sustaining arm!

Surely, of all the examples of the Almighty's power, there is none more wondrous or amazing than "God's power over Himself." He is "slow to anger." "Judgment is His strange work." He "shows mercy unto thousands [of generations]." God bears for 15OO years, from Moses to Jesus, with Israel's unbelief; and yet, as a writer remarks, "He speaks of it as but a day." "All day long have I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people." What is the explanation of all this tenderness? "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord!" 

Believer, how great has been God's patience towards you! In your unconverted state, when a wanderer from His fold, with what unwearied love He went after you; notwithstanding all your waywardness; never ceasing the pursuit "until He found you!" Think of your fainting and weariness since being converted- your ever-changing frames and feelings- the ebbings and the flowings in the tide of your love; and yet, instead of surrendering you to your own perverse will, His language concerning you is, "How can I give you up?" For a lifetime, your Savior-God has been standing knocking at your door; and His attitude is still the same- "Behold, I stand!" 

"But fainter than the pole-star's ray 
Before the noontide blaze of day, 
In all of love that man can know- 
All that in angels' breasts can glow 
Compared, O Lord of hosts! with thine. 
Unwearied! Fathomless! Divine!"

How should the patience of Jesus lead me to be submissive under trial! When He has so long borne with me, shall not I "bear" with Him? When I think of His patience under a far heavier cross, can I murmur when He murmured not! No, I will check every repining thought, and looking up, in confiding affection, to "the God of all patience," "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

John MacDuff, "The Night Watches"

http://www.gracegems.org/

HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness (Thomas Brooks, 1662)

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” 

The Necessity, Excellency, Rarity, and Beauty of Holiness

All the afflictions, and
all the temptations, and 
all the desertions, and 
all the oppressions, and 
all the oppositions, and 
all the persecutions— 
which befall a godly man, 
shall work for his good. 

Every cross, and
every loss, and
every disease—
which befall the holy man,
shall work for his good. 

Every device, 
every snare, 
every deceit, 
every depth, 
every stratagem, 
and every enterprise of Satan against
the holy man, shall work for his good. 

They shall all help to make him . . .
  more humble, 
  more holy, 
  more heavenly, 
  more spiritual, 
  more faithful, 
  more fruitful, 
  more watchful. 

Every prosperity and every adversity;
every storm and every calm;
every bitter and every sweet;
every cross and every comfort— 
shall work for the holy man's good.

When God gives a mercy—
  that shall work for his good.
When God takes away a mercy—
  that shall work for his good. 

Yes, even all the falls and all the sins of
the saints shall work for their good. Oh . . .
  the care,
  the fear,
  the watchfulness,
  the tenderness,
  the zeal—
which God raises in the souls of His saints by their 
very falls! Oh the hatred, the indignation, and the 
detestation—which God raises in the hearts of His 
children against sin—by their very falling into sin! 

Oh what love to Christ, 
what thankfulness for Christ, 
what admiration of Christ, 
what cleaving to Christ, 
what exalting of Christ, 
what drawings from Christ's grace—
are saints led to, by their very falls! 

It is the glory of God's holiness, that . . .
  He can turn spiritual diseases—into holy remedies!
  He can turn soul poisons—into heavenly cordials!
  He can prevent sin by sin, and cure falling by falling!

O Christian! What though friends and relations frown upon you, 
what though enemies are plotting and conspiring against you, 
what though needs, like armed men, are breaking in upon you, 
what though men rage, and devils roar against you, 
what though sickness is devastating your family, 
what though death stands every day at your elbow—
yet there is no reason for you to fear nor faint, because 
all these things shall work for your good! Yes, there is 
wonderful cause of joy and rejoicing in all the afflictions 
and tribulations which come upon you—considering that 
they shall all work for your good. 

O Christians! I am afraid, I am afraid—that you do not 
run so often as you should—to the breasts of this promise, 
nor draw that sweetness and comfort from it, that it would 
yield, and that your several cases may require. "We know 
that all things work together for good, to those who love 
God, to those who are called according to His purpose." I 
have been the longer upon this verse, because the condition 
of God's people calls for the strongest cordials, and the 
choicest and the sweetest comforts.

Thomas Brooks, "The Crown and Glory of Christianity"

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In Everything Give Thanks! (Thomas Watson)

Romans 8:28

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 

Why so? Because God makes everything work together for our good. We thank the physician, though he gives us a bitter medicine which makes us nauseated — because it is to make us well. We thank any man who does us a good turn; and shall we not be thankful to God — who makes everything work for good to us?

God loves a thankful Christian! Job thanked God when He took all away: "The Lord has taken away — blessed be the name of the Lord!" (Job 1:21). Many will thank God when He gives; Job thanks Him when He takes away, because he knew that God would work good out of it.

We read of saints with harps in their hands — an emblem of praise (Revelation 14:2). Yet we meet many Christians who have tears in their eyes, and complaints in their mouths! But there are few with their harps in their hands — who praise God in affliction.

To be thankful in affliction — is a work peculiar to a saint. 
Every bird can sing in spring — but few birds will sing in the dead of winter! 
Everyone, almost, can be thankful in prosperity — but a true saint can be thankful in adversity! 

Well may we, in the worst that befalls us — have a psalm of thankfulness, because God works all things for our good. Oh, be much in giving thanks to God!

And did the Holy and the Just,
The Sovereign of the skies,
Stoop down to wretchedness and dust,
That guilty worms might rise?

Yes, the Redeemer left His throne,
His radiant throne on high,
(Surprising mercy! love unknown!)
To suffer, bleed, and die!

He took the dying traitor's place,
And suffered in his stead;
For man (O miracle of grace!)
For man the Savior bled!

Dear Lord, what heavenly wonders dwell
In Your atoning blood!
By this are sinners snatched from Hell, 
And rebels brought to God!

What glad return can I impart
For favors so divine?
O take my all, this worthless heart,
And make it wholly Thine!
   Anne Steele, 1859

Thomas Watson, "All Things Work for Good"

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