JOY OF THE LORD

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah‬ ‭8‬:‭10)

I see the wisdom of God in the statement. It’s in the moments of heaviness - where our strength is lacking, that He provides what we need most: Joy

Joy is not circumstantial, meaning it is not subject to change based on the circumstances that are going on around you.

Joy shows itself strongest in difficulty.

Joy celebrates a victory in the midst of a battle.

We must turn our focus to Jesus instead of the circumstance we may be experiencing.

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬-‭11‬)

He invites us to know Him deeper and abide in His presence. There is an infusion of joy that takes place there.

When we remain in the joy of the Lord, we respond from His presence.

When we are walking in our own strength, we react out of fear.

That’s why His joy is our strength.

It almost sounds backwards… 

It’s in His joy we find strength, because the circumstance no longer has any bearing on our life.

There is nothing more dangerous than a Christian wielding joy in the midst of a difficult circumstance.