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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