The Bible is a book filled with many ambiguities, and often the Christian life seems very confusing to the natural carnal mind. There are numerous paradoxes, one of which is found in James 1:2: “count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” Other scriptures speak of having joy in affliction, as in 2 Corinthians 8:2 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6; also joy in tribulation, 2 Corinthians 7:4. This joy can only be found in Jesus, who conveys it to us by His word “that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). Peter tells us that even though we have not seen Him, “yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Peter 1:8). As Nehemiah 8:10 says, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Joy Unspeakable
-By Rose Hill
Joy unspeakable how can it be?
It’s because of the presence of God with me.
The Bible says I should count it all joy,
If trials and temptations come to annoy.
For such things will always do their part,
To give me patience in my heart.
Even if persecution comes my way,
The Holy Spirit can give me joy all day.
When filled with the Spirit we get much joy,
And the devil can’t this blessing ever destroy.
So I can rejoice evermore,
When the afflictions of the enemy I ignore.
A saint of the past penned these words just before death: “In a dark hole I have found cheerfulness, in a place of bitterness and death I have found rest; while others weep I have found laughter, where others fear I have found strength. Who would believe that in a state of misery I have had great pleasure, that in the hardest bonds perfect repose? All these things Jesus granted me; He is with me, comforts me and fills with joy. He drives bitterness from me and fills me with strength and consolation.”
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright by Thomas Nelson Co. and are used by permission.