Unspeakable Joy

 

 

What is this unspeakable joy

That in God’s word is mentioned?

Is it any different from the joy

That grabs the world’s attention?

It is a peculiar joy

That rises above our suffering:

A Divine attribute that reminds us

Of the Holy Spirit’s reassuring.

Reassuring us through life

With its many ups and downs,

Giving a radiance through our suffering

Instead of a defeatist’s frown.

A joy that cannot be explained

But is effective, supportive and deep

That in the midst of our suffering

Brings us blessed sleep.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit

That grows not on any tree,

That is given to the born again

The evidence of the Trinity.

The pillow for every trial

On which to lay one’s head,

Not the spirit of depression

But unspeakable joy instead

It is the joy of the Lord

And in trials it is our strength

That encourages unshaken resolve

No matter the intensity or length.

In his epistle to the Philippians

Paul elaborates on this joy

And with confidence in the Holy Spirit

Radiated such wherever deployed.

Under house arrest it was evident

And all involved could attest,

It appears when trials came calling

The apostle was at his best.

James was also convinced

And in the book that bears his name,

To count it as joy when temptations come

Also became his refrain.

The apostle Peter highlights this joy

And combines with faith its worth,

In the first epistle and chapter 1

Have a look at the eighth verse.

Given his descriptive limitations

He refers to this joy as “unspeakable”

And as an indication of its source

“Full of glory” speaks to its Principal.

The giver of this joy is God

And it can only be had from him,

He gives it to every born again believer

To aid in our struggle against sin.

I will conclude with an ad

 To promote this unspeakable joy,

A reminder to every believer

Its motivation to employ.

Are you feeling depressed

By life’s crushing load?

Let the joy of the Lord be your strength

And whatever your trial, be bold!

Stewart Russell (c) February 2019