Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture:
Let me tell you, it is a sin not to rejoice. You disparage your Husband, Christ. When a wife is always sighing and weeping, what will others say? ‘This woman has a bad husband.’ Is this the fruit of Christ’s love to you, to reflect dishonour upon Him? A melancholy spouse saddens Christ’s heart. I do not deny that Christians should grieve for sins of daily occurence, but to be always weeping (as if they mourned without hope) is dishonourable to the marriage relationship. ‘Rejoice in the Lord always’ (Phil. 4:4). Rejoicing brings credit to your husband. Christ loves a cheerful bride, and indeed the very prupose of God’s making us sad is to make us rejoice. We sow in tears, so that we may reap in joy. The excessive sadness and contrition of the godly will make others afraid to embrace Christ. They will begin to question whether there is that satisfactory joy in religion which is claimed.…It is joy that puts liveliness and activity into a Christian: ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength’ (Neh. 8:10). The soul is swiftest in duty when it is carried on the wings of joy.
Words of Grace 