Joy ---- Fun

In Jeremiah 15:16, we read:  "Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts."
It seems that many people today are always desiring or looking for fun and entertainment; but it is interesting to note that the word "fun" is never mentioned in the Bible, which would seem to indicate that it is not considered to be a very significant part of the Christian life.
However, it is wonderful to know that as Christians we have something far better than worldly fun -- we have heavenly joy!  Praise the Lord!  This is the blessed privilege of the Redeemed, and there are many ways this joy can be experienced.
     First of all, Christian joy comes through God's Holy Word.  Even "the weeping prophet", Jeremiah could say in the words of our text -- "Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart." 
     Then, it is wonderful to rejoice in God's great salvation -- "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation."  (Isaiah 61:10)
     There is also great joy in the blessed privilege of prayer!  John 16:24 says:  "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."
     In Psalm 126, we read this wonderful promise:  "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
     There are many more scriptures that tell us of this wonderful joy which is our strength!  In I Peter, we read "in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."   I guess we could sum it up with these words from Philippians -- "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."
     Do you have this "Joy Unspeakable" that B. E. Warren wrote about?

     "I have found the pleasure I once craved; it is joy and peace within.
What a wondrous blessing!  I am saved from the awful gulf of sin.
      I have found the joy no tongue can tell.  How its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great over-flowing well, springing up within my soul.

      It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory.
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory.  Oh, the half has never yet been told."

      And, by the way, as we begin a new week, perhaps it would be good for us to remember joy in this way also ---- J -- Jesus
                           O -- Others
                           Y -- You