Spiritual Joy (4)

The Believer’s Diffulties Answered

Objection #1: A mournful person may object by saying, “How can a person rejoice who commits so many sins as I commit? That is impossible.”

Answer: The cause and foundation for your joy must not be found within yourself and your virtuousness, but outside of yourself and in Christ. If a person had to wait with being joyful in the Lord until he is without sin, he would never rejoice his entire lifetime, for the most eminent saint sees more sin in himself than does a little one in grace, since the larger measure of light reveals to him that which is lacking in his virtuousness, whereas others may see little of it. When someone’s sins are a heavy burden to him and grieve him; if he then flees to Jesus and receives His atonement, and surrendering himself to Him to be justified and sanctified; if it is the desire and delight of His heart to live a life pleasing unto the Lord; and if he may be convinced of the motive for such exercise and such a disposition — he has reason for joy. If he does not rejoice, it is evident that he still cleaves too much to the old covenant of works and desires to be justified by works. This reveals that he is not engaged in believing God upon His Word and promises, who declares those to be blessed who do so. This shows that he wants to teach God how He should deal with him. Therefore it also pleases God in turn to withhold him from being enabled to rejoice in God. All these sins are not commensurate with being a child of God. Therefore, be fearful of conducting yourself in this way. Accustom yourself to rejoice by faith in your title to and promise of salvation, even if you cannot do so with a strong sense of delight. Know it to be your duty.

Objection #2: How can I rejoice if I am not assured of being a partaker of Christ? I am not assured of this.

Answer: Here again is a misconception, perhaps even a subtle expression of resentment. Perhaps you do not wish to consider yourself assured except there be an extraordinary declaration and impression from God to remove simultaneously all inner objections and immediately lift up your soul to be joyful about her state. You will most likely wait in vain for this. God rarely—and especially in the case of fretful persons who refuse to be comforted — does this. The normal way to assurance consists on the one hand in giving heed to the Word of God, and on the other hand in comparing yourself with this Word, coming thus to a conclusion — a conclusion made in the presence of God while praying, believing, and reasoning. This is the manner by which a man is assured. To that end we have previously, at various occasions and in various ways, convinced believers of this by presenting the marks of grace to them.

Objection #3: Another person may perhaps say, “I have indeed been assured (at least I thought this to be so), and I have indeed rejoiced in the Lord; however, it has all disappeared again, and I therefore think that I have deceived myself. I therefore do not dare to do so again, for I might once more deceive myself.”

Answer: We have dealt with this by demonstrating above what the essential nature of true joy is.

Objection #4: One must mourn, for God commands it and promises to dweil with such.

Answer: (1) God dwells with those that mourn; however, He does so to comfort them, in order that the outcome of their mourning may be their rejoicing.

(2) There is a great difference be tween being mournful or being melancholy and despondent. The Lord delights when one mournfully humbles himself, tearfully seeks grace, and is active by faith to lift himself up again; being melancholy, however, is displeasing to God and men. Therefore mourn at the appropriate time, but flee from habitual melancholy and accustom yourself to be joyful.

Exhortation to Use the Means to Attain to this Joy

To that end you should first of all continually exercise faith in Christ, reflect upon the truths pertaining to the atonement and God’s way in which He leads man to salvation, and put your trust in Jesus, leaning upon Him. To entrust yourself thus to Him, without seeing Him or apart from any feeling, is the way that leads to joy (1 Pet. 1:8).

Secondly, continue to read and acknowledge the Word to be what it really is: the Word of God. Acknowledge that it addresses itself at that particular moment to you. Search for the promises, deem them to be unbreakable, and when you apply them to your soul as such, you will experience joy. “For Thy word hath quickened me” (Psa. 119:50).

Thirdly, pray much, and acquaint yourself with the Lord by praying to Him, communing with Him, making request to Him, and laying before Him all that you lack and desire, especially your desire for joy. “Make me to hear joy and gladness” (Psa. 51:8); “O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (Psa. 90:14).

Pursue the promise and lift up your heart to the truth that whatever you will pray for in Christ’s Name, He will indeed give you. While praying thus, the soul will find herself more often in a joyful frame.

Fourthly, engage much in holy contemplation and meditation. Reflect upon who and what you are, the ways the Lord has led you hitherto, and upon your former mourning, seeking, and tears. Reflect upon the comforts and deliverances which the Lord has frequently given you, upon the benefits of the covenant of grace (each individually), and upon future glory and all that the soul will forever enjoy there. This is suitable to cause the soul quietly to rejoice. “My meditation of Him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD”(Psa. 104:34).

Fifthly, be much on guard against yielding to a sinful routine in your life. Even if there are no great falls, this yielding, this drowsy carelessness, and this departing from God will readily rob us of this joy. Rather, one ought to refrain from unrighteousness, and, upon falling, arise each time again and immediately run to the fountain once more; this will, time and again, quicken joyfulness. May the God of our exceeding joy gladden you! Amen.

Wilhelmus à Brakel (1635-1711), a Second Reformation divine, was a leading representative of practical Reformed Orthodoxy in the Netherlands who became most renowned for his major work, Redelijke Godsdienst (The Christian’s Reasonable Service).

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