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The Bible seems to have more references to joy in the midst of darkness and trials than it does joy in the midst of comfort. Many Western Christians have taken mission trips to impoverished countries and often said that the people there seem to have a joy that we don’t have even though they are fighting to simply survive. Why is this?
Nehemiah 8:10 says “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” He said this to exiles that had just returned to their city that had been laid to ruins. They rebuilt the wall (in the midst of numerous challenges) and had just stood outside to hear the reading of God’s Law for the past several hours. The people realized their rebellion and brokenness and wept. Nehemiah’s word to them was that the “joy of the Lord is your strength.” What exactly does that even mean?
It means that even though we are sinners before a Holy God, He has still loved us and called us to be His children. Even though we were His enemies He: “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2). His joy then becomes our strength because He is the solid rock on which we stand no matter the circumstances we may face. It means that circumstances cannot shake our joy because our joy is found in the One who cannot be shaken. It means that our joy is complete because His joy is in us (John 15:11).
The Spirit of God in us produces the fruit of joy because the Spirit points us to our Savior and takes our attention away from our circumstances. This does not mean we don’t face reality or even grieve the things happening around us. It means that we have a joy and peace that passes understanding in the midst of the most unimaginable pain because Jesus Christ has overcome the world and will one day make all things new again.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:16–18
Is the joy of the Lord your strength? Are you setting your mind on the things of the Spirit or the things of the flesh? The truth is that no one and nothing can steal your joy because no one and nothing could ever take away the Love of Christ that has been poured into your heart. Find strength in the joy of the Lord today.