Joy of the Lord

Tozer Devotional
Collective Writings from the Books of A.W. Tozer
Sunday, October 07, 2007
The Next Chapter after the Last Chapter # Fifteen
The Christian's Obligation to Be Joyful

The Joy of the Lord
The Christian owes it to the world to be supernaturally joyful. In this day of universal apprehension when men's hearts are failing them for fear of those things that are coming upon the earth, we Christians are strategically placed to display a happiness that is not of this world and to exhibit a tranquillity that will be a little bit of heaven here below. All this takes for granted that sin has been dealt with by sincere repentance and thorough amendment of life. It assumes that we are walking in the light of truth, for true joy cannot be artificially induced. The "keep smiling" school of applied psychology is not even remotely related to the true faith of Christ. The chief fun of the comedian and the good humor of the wit who is the life of the party are like flowers growing on old graves, briefly interesting, but evanescent and always touched with sadness. But the fountain of Christian joy flows out from the throne of God, pure, refreshing and sweet everlastingly.
Prayer
O Lord, the reality of being Yours opens my heart to the flow of Your joy. Thank You!
Scripture
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
— John 15:11
Thought
It was Tertullian who said that the Christian saint is hilarious. The closer one comes to God, the more joy is experienced. Joy based not on circumstances or passing emotion but the joy of the Lord that comes from knowing Him.

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