John 15:11 ¶ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
I remember just like it was yesterday the day I discovered the joy of the Lord. I had been hearing strange reports of people laughing in church services but didn’t give it must thought; at least I didn’t until it happened to me. You see I was a little hesitant to embrace what was being called the “laughing revival”, I had seen so much weirdness that I was not so sure this was legit. There had been everything from excessive emphasis on deliverance, to apostolic weirdness, to flag waving; I was not so sure this was God. Like I said, what changed everything was the day I got surprised by joy. Not the normal kind of joy that comes from things going your way but an unexplainable visitation of heavenly laughter. You could call it Artesian Joy. Here are some thoughts from A. B. Simpson on the joy of heaven.
“There is a joy that springs spontaneously in the heart without any external or even rational cause. It is like an artesian fountain. It rejoices because it cannot help it. It is the glory of God; it is the heart of Christ; it is the joy divine of which He says, These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. And your joy no man can take from you. Those who possess this fountain are not discouraged by surrounding circumstances. Rather, they are often surprised at the deep, sweet gladness that comes without apparent cause-a joy that frequently is strongest when everything in their condition and circumstances would tend to fill them with sorrow and depression. It is the nightingale in the heart that sings at night because it is its nature to sing. It is the glorified and incorruptible joy that belongs with heaven and anticipates already the everlasting song. Lord, give us Thy joy under all circumstances this day, and let our full hearts overflow in blessing to others.”
This joy is like nothing I had ever experienced before. The most surprising thing of all, this artesian well of joy has stayed with me all of these years. It comes at the most surprising times; in worship, during preaching, quiet reflection, or just looking at His beautiful creation. Maybe you have been bored or dry, start digging deep within your belly, artesian joy is not far away.