There is true pleasure in true religion. … You startle at it, and start from it as a hard saying, like Nathaniel, when he said, ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’ (John 1.46). So you are ready to say, can there be any pleasure in religion? Believe it, sirs, there can be, there cannot but be pleasure in it.
– Matthew Henry –
from The Pleasantness of a Religious Life, 1714
The Lord never takes away any comfort from his people without giving them something better. The disciples parted with Christ’s corporal presence and he sent them the Holy Ghost. God eclipses one joy and augments another. He simply makes an exchange; he takes away a flower and gives a diamond.
– Thomas Watson –
from The Godly Man’s Picture, 1666
Faith is the key that unlocks Paradise and lets a flood of joy into the soul.
– Thomas Brooks –
How many have given only what they could never miss and what costs them little or no sacrifice. How different it would be if the full blessing of Pentecost began to flow in. How the hearts of men would burn with love for Jesus and, out of sheer joy, be impelled to give everything that He might be known as Savior and all might know His love.
– Andrew Murray –
from Experiencing the Holy Spirit
No one can live without delight, and that is why a man deprived of spiritual joy goes over to carnal pleasure.
– Thomas Aquinas –
1225-1274
When we have Jesus, we have everything we need for true joy and happiness. … Real happiness comes from Jesus Christ.
– Leslie Ludy –
“They shall be filled.” God never bids us seek Him in vain. “He hath filled the hungry with good things” (Luke 1:53). “He satisfieth the longing soul” (Psalm 107:9). God will not let us lose our longing.
– Thomas Watson –
1620-1686
Let this one great, gracious, glorious fact lie in your spirit until it permeates all your thoughts and makes you rejoice even though you are without strength. Rejoice that the Lord Jesus has become your strength and your song—He has become your salvation.
– Charles Spurgeon –
After grief for sin there should be joy for forgiveness.
– AW Pink –