Joy is a “fruit of the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22)
We are filled with “all joy … through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
A. H. Hussey says: “After I had known forgiveness of sin, I found in myself a reluctance to serve God. I was not always obedient to God; I found an inclination to sin. [In] spite of my satisfaction in Christ, I found more pleasure in the world than in Jesus. I went to the world for pleasure, and to God for salvation. But one day I heard of the power of the Holy Spirit received by faith, and my heart burned with the desire for the experience. As it was explained to me, I was led to take one step after another in consecration, yielding to God and trusting Him.
[The following description of Hussey’s experience seems to be like that of one who was first reclaimed, and then sanctified wholly. — DVM]
I remember the step of faith in the dark. I said, ‘I give all to Christ; I yield all, everything I have.’ Then I received the Lord Jesus as my Sanctifier. No special feeling took possession of me, only more rest in God, more of the consciousness I was not my own. No definite feeling came until making a public confession. I said, ‘I am Christ’s; everything I possess is His.’ Peace and glory filled my soul. I began to teach this gospel truth, but I had not the power I desired.
After this I sought definitely the enduement of power from on high. In an upper room alone I cried out to God. While I was praying a strange feeling came over my body, a strange moving in my heart. I said, ‘Come, Lord, come in Thy power; come, Holy Spirit, come.’ My heart was filled with glory, and I shouted, again and again, ‘Glory to God!’ Oh, it was real!
Then I felt this Spirit of God permeating my being from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, and I was cleansed from all sin; the fire of the Holy Spirit was burning through my soul, and destroying everything of a corrupt nature; and the power was so great I lay prostrate for three hours all alone; and I saw how Jesus died for my sin as never before, and received a wonderful illumination of the Scriptures, so that I could comprehend what God designed for us to make us perfect in Christ Jesus, and that we should live wholly, entirely and altogether for Him, and serve Him with a perfect heart and a willing mind.
That joy and peace and thrill continued for hours. During the whole night, when I could not sleep for joy, every insect seemed to say, ‘Glory to God,’ the clock seemed to say, ‘Praise God.’ And that continued for days. This was fifteen years ago. The thrill did not remain, but peace and joy have filled my soul from that day to this.