Practice rejoicing evermore. When our new nature keeps turning to the Father, we can walk away from fleshly pleasures, leaving them as husks for swine to feed on. A change of heart, then, implies a change of desire too. A pure heart after God wants what He wants. Our very life must be altered.
Holy obedience conceives the beautiful fruit of joy every time.
If we fall into sin that separates us from God s peace, then our rejoicing in Him will suffer critical injury. A tender heart that beats for God s continual caress can t make light of the sin that breaks this cherished communion. Now here is a practical side of rejoicing. It can t be sustained if it isn t continually exercised. If we neglect this great portion of God s salvation in us, it will become shriveled and crippled and too sluggish to sing out love songs to Christ.