Required reading
Profiting from the Word by A. W. Pink (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 9, 'The Scriptures and Joy'.
My notes and thoughts
Today Pink teaches us that we profit from the Word when:
(i) we perceive that joy is a duty;
(ii) we learn the secret of true joy;
(iii) we are taught the great value of joy;
(iv) we attend to the root of joy;
(v) we are careful to maintain our joy;
(vi) we are sedulous in avoiding the hindrances to joy;
(vii) we diligently preserve the balance between sorrow and joy.
Point four that the gospel is the root of true joy is the most important: 'The gospel works joy, because the soul is at rest in God. But these blessings become our own only be personal appropriation. Faith must receive them, and when it does so the heart is filled with peace and joy. And the secret of sustained joy is to keep the channel open, to continue as we began. It is unbelief which clogs the channel. If there be but little heat around the bulb of the thermometer, no wonder that the mercury marks so low a degree. If there is a weak faith, joy cannot be strong. Daily do we need to pray for a fresh realization of the preciousness of the Gospel, a fresh appropriation of its blessed contents; and then there will be a renewing of our joy.'
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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