joy m the midst of a world of sor row. Joy is bound to manifest itself in our attitudes and deeds of serv ice. Do we fully realize that Jesus Christ is King of kings, and Lord of lords? How dismal it would be if Christ were not King! I can't blame people for getting despondent and discouraged when national and world conditions are so severe. A small company of soldiers, in a certain fort during the Civil War, were being bombarded by the enemy. There were already casualties. Al most ready to give up in despair, there came a message from their leader, General Sheridan, “Hold the fort, I am coming!” With such a reassuring word, the men fought all the harder. They held on until re inforcements appeared and victory could be claimed. This is our calling today. “This day the noise of battle; the next a victor’s song!” We ought to be joyful because the King has spoken. He has given us a decree of logical insight. Not only can we read the Bible, but also, through His Holy Spirit, we can un derstand what the Word of God has to say. Every sensible bit of evidence points to the Bible as the Word of God itself. We believe, here at Biola, that the Bible is the Word of God. .It doesn’t merely contain the Word of God—it is the Word of God! God meant what He said. We ought to be joyful because we are fellow-heirs of Christ. None of us have any real idea of all that means; it is unspeakable beyond all measure. A tax assessor called on a minister to ask what the preacher was worth. The man of God replied, “Oh, Sir, I’m a very rich man. My wealth consists of a Saviour who earned for me everlasting life. He is preparing a mansion for me in the eternal city. I have a very de voted wife who, according to Solo mon, is more valuable than the rarest rubies. With healthy, obedient and happy children, I wouldn’t take the
world for any one of them. I, my self, have a merry heart enabling me to pass through life joyfully and with great peace of mind.” “But don’t you have any tangible assets?” the assessor protested. “Just this furniture you see about you,” the pastor pointed out. The floor was clean, but it was practically thread bare; the davenport was old, but neat; the chairs had been repaired and things were obviously old and rather decrepit. The assessor put his book away. As he left he had to agree, “Sir, you’re indeed a very rich man. Your personal property isn’t even subject to taxation!” Oh, how rich we are in Christ! We are now being made fit for the inheritance which is to be ours. God, in His own time and way, is going to re ward us with wealth which would stagger our wildest imagination. Then, we ought to be j'oyful be cause of a certain victory that’s promised to be ours. We aren’t in the midst of a chess game, the outcome of which is in doubt. We’re a part of an invincible army, pushing hard to certain victory. The true Church cannot fail, because the Lord is go ing to present it to Himself as a glorious Church, not having spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing. Are you joyful? The first step is to accept Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. That’s absolutely essential and is paramount in importance. The next point is surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ so that we might know the joy that’s His. This is what He wants to give to us. “Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid, your heart does the Spirit control? You can only find rest, and be perfectly blessed, as you yield Him your body and soul.” The joy of the Lord can be lost because of sin in the life. David’s earnest petition was that the Lord might restore the joy he once had known. Yield yourself to Christ, and you, too, will know the joy that passeth all understanding. 5
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