excerpt: valley of vision

remember, o my soul,

it is your duty and privilege to rejoice in God:

he requires it of you for all his favors of grace.

rejoice then in the giver and his goodness,

be happy in him, o my heart, and in

nothing

but God,

for what a man trusts in,

from that he expects happiness.

he who is the ground of your faith

should be the substance of your joy.

where does heaviness an dejection come from,

when joy is sown in you,

promised by the father,

bestowed by the son,

wrought by the spirt,

yours by grace,

your birthright in believing!

are you seeking to rejoice in yourself

from an evil motive of pride and self-reputation?

you have nothing of your own but sin,

nothing to move God to be gracious

or to continue his grace towards you.

if you forget this, you will lose your joy.

are you grieving under a sense of indwelling sin?

let godly sorrow work repentance,

as the true spirit which the Lord blesses,

and which creates truest joy,

sorrow for self opens rejoicing in God.

have you looked for joy in creature comfort?

look not below God for happiness,

let God be all in all to you,

and joy in the fountain will always be full.

be happy in nothing but God.

look not below God for happiness.

he, your foundation and rock, should be the substance of your joy.

joy is my birthright in believing.

let God be all in all: there, full joy.

grateful for real joy promised to my soul.