It may be understood as the joy which the Lord feels. We are taught that he has special joy even in heaven. There was a joy set before him to attain which he endured the cross. And what is the joy? Is it not in the ingathering of souls? Is it not when souls are saved, and many justified, that he sees of the travail of his soul, and is satisfied? Now surely there must be the same blessed happiness in those who share his joy. If we rejoice in the joy of the Lord Jesus, we shall rejoice with those whom he has gathered around him. As MR. LANGSTON said in his Sermon on Rev. vii. 15. “The meeting with those Saints will add no little accumulation of blessedness. I shall see Abel, the first martyr for Christ; the first witness to the atonement by his precious blood. I shall see Enoch the first great prophet who walked with God, and was not, for God took him. I shall see Noah, the Preacher of righteousness; Melchizedec, king of righteousness and peace; Moses, Samuel, and all the Prophets, Evangelists, and Saints.” Does he not see them now? Is he not with them now? But does he not also see multitudes of precious souls, from Hastings, from Richmond, from Sheffield, from Jersey, and from Southborough, to whom he was permitted to convey God’s message, and who are now rejoicing with him before the throne? How many were there to welcome him at heaven’s gate? And may not the joy of such a meeting be well termed the joy of the Lord? But besides this, the joy of the Lord must be the joy that is realized in the presence of the Lord himself. It is all very well to be with Abel, and Enoch, but what must it be to be with Christ? This it is that will fill heaven with praise, and make even eternity too short for our thanksgiving. Do you remember what he said of the prospect, in the last Sermon he ever preached to you, “Oh!” he said, “What joy to see him face to face! What joy to see him even now through the lattice! But what to enjoy that love without interruption, and without a cloud ever rising between the soul and the sunshine of his love! Then the seven-fold promises of revelation, all his own gracious words, will be fulfilled—“The crown of life.” “The tree of life.” “The new name.” “The morning star.” “The white raiment.” “The abiding pillar.” “And the share in the throne of the Son of God.” Is not that the joy of the Lord? And is not that the joy in which the faithful servant has now entered? is he not there now? Is he not face to face with his Saviour? Does he not even now see him as he is? Has he not already experienced the truth of the words, “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore?” And now what would he say if he could speak to us from that presence chamber of God? Do you think he would change his note, or withdraw his testimony?