Joy
by Ellen White
Now we want to act like individuals who are redeemed by the blood of Christ; we are to
rejoice in the blood of Christ and in the forgiveness of sins. That is what we are to do,
and may God help us to get our minds off the dark pictures and think on those things that
will give us light. Now I want to read another scripture, "Be careful for
nothing" (Philippians 4:6). What does that mean?--Why, don't cross a bridge before
you get to it. Don't make a time of trouble before it comes. You will get to it soon
enough, brethren. We are to think of today, and if we do well the duties of today, we will
be ready for the duties of tomorrow.--MS 7, 1888. 2MCP 470
We are so anxious, all of us, for happiness, but many rarely find it because of their
faulty methods of seeking, in the place of striving. We must strive most earnestly and
mingle all our desires with faith. Then happiness steals in upon us almost unsought. . . .
When we can, notwithstanding disagreeable circumstances, rest confidingly in His love and
shut ourselves in with Him, resting peacefully in His love, the sense of His presence will
inspire a deep, tranquil joy. This experience gains for us a faith that enables us not to
fret, not to worry, but to depend upon a power that is infinite.--Lt 57, 1897. (ML 184.)
2MCP 472
The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sin; it means taking away our
sins, and filling the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine
illumination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart emptied of self, and blessed with the
abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in the soul, there is purity, freedom from
sin. The glory, the fullness, the completeness of the gospel plan is fulfilled in the
life. The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect peace, perfect love, perfect
assurance. The beauty and fragrance of the character of Christ revealed in the life
testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be its Saviour. COL 419F
By the life we live through the grace of Christ, the character is formed. The original
loveliness begins to be restored to the soul. The attributes of the character of Christ
are imparted, and the image of the Divine begins to shine forth. The faces of men and
women who walk and work with God, express the peace of heaven. They are surrounded with
the atmosphere of heaven. For these souls the kingdom of God has begun. They have Christ's
joy, the joy of being a blessing to humanity. They have the honour of being accepted for
the Master's use; they are trusted to do His work in His name. DA 312
As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation,
Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless
approaching to God through Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and
still more of glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God, the more intense
will be our happiness. As we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be filled with His love,
satisfied with His presence. All that human nature can bear, we may receive here. But what
is this compared with the hereafter? There "are they before the throne of God, and
serve Him day and night in His temple; and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among
them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on
them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and
shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes."[1 REV. 7:15-17.] DA 331
As Christians we ought to praise God more than we do. We ought to bring more of the
brightness of His love into our lives. As by faith we look to Jesus His joy and peace are
reflected from the countenances. How earnestly we should seek so to relate ourselves to
God that our faces may reflect the sunshine of His love! When our souls are vivified by
the Holy Spirit, we shall exert an uplifting influence upon others who know not the joy of
Christ's presence. HP 94
The children of God may rejoice in all things and at all times. When troubles and
difficulties come, believing in the providence of God, you may rejoice. You need not wait
for a happy flight of feeling, but by faith you may lay hold of the promises and lift up a
hymn of thanksgiving to God. . . RH FEB.11,1890 (HP 123)
Suppose that at times we are destitute of the joy we should like to experience, can we
not feel assured that the promises of God are still yea and amen in Christ Jesus? The
promises of God do not rest upon feeling. They have a foundation as distinct from feeling
as light is from darkness. We must learn to move from principle; and when we learn to do
this, we shall move understandingly, and not be controlled by varying emotions. ST
NOV.11,1889