No power in the universe can rob you of it; none, but yourself, can even diminish it. “Your joy no man takes from you.” What the power, or love, or presence of man can create – the power, or hatred, or absence of man can destroy. But, the joy of the believer has a different origin, and, as no man bestowed it, so no man can take it away. It has God for its author – the living Rock of Ages for its ever-flowing fountain – the Holy Spirit for the golden channel, which it conveys into the heart. Thus, coming from the fountain of joy, it is of immortal origin – and, is far above the reach of mortal enemies. All the sorrows of earth – all the temptations of hell, are vain against this joy. So far from being diminished by what would crush earthly happiness, and reduce the stoutest heart, without Divine grace, to hopeless dejection – it is only realized more fully, amid the raging fury of the hurricane, or the dreary gloom of a starless midnight.

— John MacDuff (1818–1895), Pfarrer, Hymnendichter und Autor christlicher Erbauungsliteratur

Related Bible passage: JHN.16.22

Topics: Joy & Gratitude, Faith & Trust, Peace & Rest

Occasions: Encouragement, Comfort

John MacDuff

John Ross Macduff (1818–1895) war ein schottischer presbyterianischer Pfarrer und Autor, der unter anderem in Glasgow und später in England wirkte. Im 19. Jahrhundert wurde er durch weit verbreitete Andachtsbücher, Gebetssammlungen und Kirchenlieder bekannt, die seelsorglichen Zuspruch und biblische Verheißungen in den Mittelpunkt stellten. Heutigen Bibellesern begegnen seine Schriften als Beispiele protestantischer Erbauungsliteratur, die biblische Texte auf persönliche Lebensfragen und Erfahrungen von Leid beziehen.

All quotes by John MacDuff (11)

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Go forth, my heart, and seek joy in this lovely summertime, in the gifts of your God. Behold the beauty of the gardens' adornment, and see how they have decked themselves for me and for you.

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Great are you, Lord, and highly to be praised. Man, this tiny part of your creation, wants to praise you. You yourself stir him to delight in praising you, for you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.

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For all that has been - Thanks. For all that will be - Yes.

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The world is more than its burden, and life is more than the sum of its gray days.

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A good sleep is grace and so are good dreams. Most tears are grace. The smell of rain is grace. Somebody loving you is grace. Loving somebody is grace.

Frederick Buechner

All quotes · lumen.bible