“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” You’ve heard that phrase before right? My question for you is, do you realize where it comes from? Where in God’s book, in His Holy Word, is it located? Do you know if it is the Old Testament or New Testament? Does it sound poetic like a psalm? Or did Paul write it while in prison?
Did you know it was Nehemiah chapter 8? It is. The people are gathered at the Watergate in the city of Jerusalem and Ezra has the books of the law, the ones that were given to Moses, brought out to be read. Everybody was around–men, women, and all who could understand.
Nehemiah 8:1-3 tells you what’s going on. Nehemiah 8:4 describes the platform and the people on it. Nehemiah 8:5-6 makes it clear the reading of God’s Law was both respected and viewed as an act of worship. Nehemiah 8:7 gives another role call of people who helped the people understand the law. And Nehemiah 8:8 tells what was accomplished.
As they were finished reading from the law, there was sorrow and sadness. You know what I love about this passage of Scripture? What I love is this is not where it ends.
The idea has not evaded me that today in this world there may be people inside and outside of the church that went to a service much like the one in Nehemiah 8, but it stopped right here where we have currently paused. The Word of God was preached. The preacher made sure everyone understood. And everyone is feeling sorrow and that’s where you were left. Being left with the realization that you are not what God wanted you to be and now you are sitting in your filth wondering why you should even continue. Have you been there? I’ve been there. Here’s what you need to know, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Read Nehemiah 8:9-12 and realize that this day, the first day of the seventh month, was in fact a Holy Day. On this day man’s heart was broken because they realized they had broken the heart of God. When that happens God is no longer mourning but He is celebrating, and He says celebrate with me. It’s a holy day; have a party. If other people don’t have the proper portions to have a party send them some of yours so they may rejoice as well because God is rejoicing. And His Joy will be your strength.
If you’ve been robbed of your joy because you’ve spent more time listening to the words of man or the words in your head rather than the Word of God, I’ve got some advice for you… stop it! The joy of the Lord is not reserved for people that have lived up to God’s standard (because only one person to ever walk the face of the earth has lived up to God’s standard, and He is Jesus). The joy of the Lord is for those who are trying to walk in step with how God would have them walk, navigating the journey of life with the loving guiding counsel of the Lifegiver. Whether you are on the mountaintop or in the valley of despair, if you say “God show me how to take the next step”, His Joy will meet you there.
Chad Strausbaugh