We know our feelings better by experience than by analysis. We can
imagine a father so utterly unsatisfactory in his character and
conduct that his own children are ashamed to mention his name. We can
imagine one whose kindness, whose faultless conduct, whose commanding
intellect render them proud of his name. They think of him with
pleasure. Thus the poor among men rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
If you attempt to examine, you will find that your joy in God is
compounded of several other feelings, which, like tributary streams,
swell with the river of your pleasure. 1. _Gratitude._ For experience
of the Divine goodness. It expresses itself in thanks and songs. You
think with pleasure of one for whom you are grateful. 2. _Affection._
Love is closely akin to gratitude. And God has taken away all cause
of alienation. The love of God in Christ possesses the heart. Love
delights in its object (Rom. v. 11). 3. _Confidence._ We trust Him
entirely. In present distresses or future fears. If distrust crosses
our minds, we dismiss it as inconsistent with the truth of which we
have satisfied ourselves. Now if there is perfect confidence in Him
on whom we depend, we cannot fail to rejoice in Him.
4. _Approbation._ We find the Holy One of Israel a Being in whom we
can be infinitely satisfied. At no point, in no respect, could we
desire Him to be different from what He is. Nor is it the admiration
sometimes expressed for characters there is no desire to imitate.
Christians earnestly desire likeness to God. Putting all these
together, there must be joy in the Lord.