REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAY!

"...but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." —Luke 10:20 [KJV]

It is matter of great joy to faithful ministers of the gospel to see the work of their Lord prosper in their hands, Satan dethroned, and the kingdom of Jesus set up in the hearts of poor sinners. Our Lord by no means discourages rejoicing on this account; but His loving heart would not have it terminate and centre in this only; for their success may abate, a season may come when they may take up this lamentation, "LORD, who hath believed our report?", we see no more tokens of Thy victorious grace. 

Therefore, lest their hands should hang down, and their hearts grow dejected and faint in their labours, He directs them to an inexhaustible fountain of consolation and joy: "Your names are written in heaven." Always rejoice in this. Remember you are always, "unto God a sweet savour of Christ, as well in them that perish as in them that are saved."—II Corinthians 2:15. 

This is also a sweet lesson to every Christian. It is, doubtless, cause of great joy to find and feel the power of sin and Satan subdued, corrupt lusts mortified, disorderly passions restrained, unruly appetites brought into subjection, and the meekness and power of Christ to have the rule and government in one's heart. For these spiritual blessings we are inexpressibly indebted to the Holy Spirit, through the faith of Jesus. 

Notwithstanding, "in this rejoice not" (only and chiefly) saith Jesus, He leads us from the streams to the fountain; from the effects to the cause. "Rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." In times of heaviness, through manifold temptations, frames may vary. In seasons of darkness, feelings and comforts may decline, "nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His."—II Timothy 2:19. 

But can any one know that his name is written in the book of life? Doubtless: else there is no meaning in our Lord's words. How can one rejoice on this account, if he do not know it? Though we cannot read the book of life, yet we have the records of truth. These reveal it plainly, and assure us, "We are the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus."—Galatians 3:26. If we have faith in Jesus, the faith of God's elect, this is an evidence of our adoption, and we may, we ought to rejoice. 

So Paul, who had the mind of Christ, speaking of some whose names are written in the book of life, immediately adds, "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say rejoice."—Philippians 4:4. But may not our names be blotted out? No; that is impossible. We are assured, "whatsoever God doeth it shall be for ever; nothing can be put to it or taken from it."— Ecclesiastes 3:14.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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