Letters to a Soul Seeking Jesus III: Joy in believing

Dear Friend,

I send you another line to tell you Jesus is the way.  ... We are now looking forward to another communion season, and I am busy instructing young persons for that holy and blessed ordinance.  I think you said you were a good deal impressed at our last communion, and wished that you had been one of those seated at the table:  perhaps you may never be permitted to sit at the table on earth; perhaps your first communion may be in glory.  There is a text in Rom. 15:13 which expresses all my desire for you:  "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit."  You see here who is the author of conversion—"the God of hope."  He must open your heart to attend to the things that are spoken.  The truths that are presented to you will not convert your heart; the God of hope must breathe on your heart and water it oft.  Then see how He gives you joy and peace—"in believing."  When Jesus revealed Himself to Thomas (John 20:28), Thomas cried out with joy, "My Lord and my God!"  If Jesus reveals Himself to you in all the glory of His person, the completeness of His work, and the freeness of His love, you too will be filled with appropriating, joyful faith, and will cry, "My Lord and my God!"  It is a difficult thing to explain what it is to believe—I suppose it is impossible.  But when Jesus unveils His matchless beauty, and gives you a sweet glimpse of His matchless face that was buffeted and spit upon, then the soul joyfully clings to Him.  This is believing, and this is joy and peace in believing.  The truest, purest joy flows from a discovery of Jesus Christ.  He is the hidden treasure that gives such joy to the finder (Matt. 13:44).  Do you think you have found that treasure?  Touching question! for if not, you are poor indeed.  But how much joy may you have in Christ?  "The God of hope fill you with all joy."  You need not be afraid to take the full joy that Jesus gives.  If you really come unto Christ, you come unto the love of Jehovah, and that is a filling love.  The love of the creature does not fill the heart; but God's love coming full upon the soul gives fullness of joy (1 John 1:4).  It is holy love, sovereign love.  Do decide the question of your eternity.  One thing is needful!  Have you closed with the great Mediator?  Have you got saving knowledge of Jesus?  Then only will death lose its power, and the grave become the bed of peaceful rest.

There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign;
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain.

Lean all your care for time and eternity on Jesus; that is the softest of all pillows—the bosom of our guardian Immanuel.

I am, ever yours,
Robert Murray M'Cheyne