# “Is this not a joyful life—a heaven upon earth—to have such a God as your God?” by Wilhelmus à Brakel

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2021/04/10/is-this-not-a-joyful-life-a-heaven-upon-earth-to-have-such-a-god-as-your-god-by-wilhelmus-a-brakel/
- Published: 2021-04-10T12:00:47-05:00
- Author: tollelege

“When the soul is privileged to reflect upon God as his God in Jesus Christ, such
a soul will be conscious of _the righteousness of God_. He will magnify and delight
in this righteousness no less than in God’s goodness and love.

He will perceive in this attribute only light, purity, and extraordinary glory. 
Such a soul rejoices the more in this righteousness, since by virtue of the merits
of Christ it is no longer against him unto destruction, but rather for his help 
and salvation, and to the damnation of the ungodly.

The soul beholding _God’s goodness and all-sufficiency_, and tasting the power of
these is so fully satisfied with this that all the goodness of the creature vanishes.
It no longer has any appeal to him.

He can do without it and confesses with Asaph, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? 
and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee … but God is the strength
of my heart, and my portion for ever” (**Psa. 73:25–26**).

The soul, irradiated by_ the love of God_ and ignited with reciprocal love, loses
itself in this love and is silent in response to it. He stands in amazement of this
love, and finds so much in it that all creature-love loses its appeal.

He no longer perceives any desirability in the creature except where he perceives
something of God in it. Therefore he no longer covets the love of others and is 
readily weaned from all that appears to be desirable upon earth.

Viewing _the holiness of God_, the soul, not able to endure its brilliant splendor,
covers her countenance, exclaiming with the angels, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord
of hosts!” He thus becomes enamored with this holiness and desires to be holy as
He is holy who has called him.

The soul perceives _the sovereignty of the holy will of God_, exalting, esteeming,
and approving it as such. He rejoices in the full accomplishment of this will relative
to all creatures as well as himself.

He submits himself to this will which sweetens and makes all things well. He yields
his own will to be swallowed up in the will of God. The Lord’s will is his will 
both in what he endures and does, and he is thus ready to perform all that is according
to God’s will and is pleasing to Him.

Contemplating _the magnificence and glory of God_, the dignity and glory of all 
creatures vanish and are in comparison considered to be lowly, insignificant, and
contemptible. He neither desires the splendor and glory of the world for himself,
nor is he intimidated by the dignity of others who might cause him to act contrary
to the will of His God.

In that aspect he deems the dignified and honorable equal to the most insignificant
and contemptible even though he will fully subject himself to all whom God has placed
over him because God wills it. Rather, he bows in all humility before God the most
High, rendering Him honor and glory. His heart and tongue are prepared and ready
to speak of the honor and glory of His majesty.

Viewing_ the omnipotence of God_ in itself as well as in its manifestation in all
creatures, the power of creatures which either is exercised for or against him vanishes.
He will neither rely upon nor fear it, but dwelling in the secret place of the most
High he abides under the shadow of the Almighty. In that shadow he rejoices over
all his enemies, enjoys safety without fear, and is confident.

In contemplating _the multifacetted and unsearchable wisdom of God_ as it is manifested
in all His works both in the realm of nature and of grace, he loses his own wisdom,
considering it to be but foolishness, as well as all esteem for the wisdom of friend
and enemy.

Such a soul is quiet and satisfied with the all-wise government of God, be it in
relation to the whole world, the church, his country of residence, times of peace
and war, or its effect upon him and his loved ones. He yields in everything to the
wisdom of God who knows both time and manner, even though the soul has no prior 
realization or perception thereof.

The soul, viewing _the infallible truth and faithfulness of God_, refuses to rely
upon human promises. They neither can cause him to rejoice nor can human threatenings
terrify him, for he is aware of human mutability.

However, He knows the Lord to be a God of truth who keepeth truth forever. He knows
the promises and believes them, being so convinced of their certainty as if they
were already fulfilled. He therefore rests in them and has a joyful hope in them.

Behold, is this not a joyful life—a heaven upon earth—to have such a God as your
God who promotes both your welfare and your salvation? Can there be sorrow in such
a soul?

Does not He who has a God as the God of joy and gladness have every reason to experience
immediate comfort? Does not such a walk with God cause the soul to manifest utmost
meekness and humility, being cognizant of his own insignificance?

This engenders in the soul a circumspect and unwavering spiritual frame, a quiet
and humble submission in all things, and a fearless valor and courage in the performance
of his duties, even when the Lord calls to a duty which is extraordinary in nature.

There is a delighting in that which he may have done for the Lord, submissively 
leaving the outcome to be determined by His government. Such a spiritual frame engenders
genuine holiness.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed
into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (**2
Cor. 3:18**).”

–Wilhelmus à Brakel, [_The Christian’s Reasonable Service, Volume 1 (God, Man, and Christ)_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601781318?tag=toletaupanre-20),
Ed. Joel Beeke, Trans. Bartel Elshout (Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage Books,
1700/1994), 1: 134-137.

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