Living in the Joy of the Lord

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

The Children of Israel were returning from exile. Nehemiah, cupbearer to the King of Persia, would be a leader in the repatriation efforts. Reconstruction of the walls of the city was necessary, but resistance from local governments threatened their work. Nehemiah armed the construction crews.

On the first day of the 7th month, the people celebrated the Feast of Temples. A week before, the walls of the city had been completed. All gathered - men, women, any who could understand - and Ezra the scribe read from the book of the law.  A high wooden platform had been built for the occasion. Beside Ezra on the platform were the leaders of the tribes of Israel.  As he read, the words were clarified so that all could understand. With this understanding came realization, and the people began to weep.

Nehemiah spoke to the people. “This day is sacred to God. Don’t mourn and weep. Go and celebrate.  Share your food with  those who do not have enough. This is not a day for grief. For the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  Later would come repentance and reestablishment of the law and the nation. First must be a time of praise, a time of recognition, a day for joy in the Lord. 

In the upper room before He was arrested and crucified, Jesus spoke to the disciples of the importance of living in the love and will of the Father. In doing so, they would “share (His) joy” (John 13:11), a complete joy based on obedience and sacrifice.

Joy is not in our control of circumstances, but the peace we share in the realization that God is in control. It is not in the expectation that our plans for tomorrow will come to fruition, but in knowing that the One who holds tomorrow is our God. Joy is not in knowing God is on our side, but that we are on His. And in this, our joy is complete.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope." Romans 15:13