THE JOY OF THE LORD!

 

In the book of Nehemiah, we are reminded not to live sorrowfully because the joy of the Lord gives us enough strength to stand against any challenges of life… (Nehemiah 8:10b). This wonderful assurance reveals God’s sovereignty, love, and faithfulness towards us. We are guaranteed the inner strength to push forward and believe that all is well, even in the midst of tough or rough times.

 

This inner awareness bestowed on us by the Holy Spirit, assures us that regardless of our circumstances or surroundings, God is actively working things out for our good. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

 

 At times, we may encounter situations or individuals that push us to the brink, where we feel we can no longer endure. Better still, in a situation where things haven’t unfolded as we envisioned, someone may have said or done something utterly silly and exasperating, tempting us to lose our cool or patience and give up. However, there is something far worse than giving up on something or someone, which is giving up on God.

 

Sadly, some believers have given up on God and forsaken His wonderful plan for their lives. They no longer care about living to please Him but opt to pursue whatever brings them temporal happiness and satisfies their desires without considering God’s perspective on their actions. 

 

Maybe in your case, disappointments, unanswered prayers, or tragic events may have left you feeling discouraged and desperate for answers. I want you to know that God has provided solutions to worst cases in the past and you are not alone in all of these!

 

The scripture has stories of heartbreaking disappointments, and one such story involves the children of Israel. They witnessed their country being invaded and captured by the Babylonians. The temple in Jerusalem where God lived among them was destroyed. 

 

The people were taken captive to Babylon, forced to live in a foreign land, adapted to their customs, and worshipped the gods of Babylonians. Emotionally drained and disappointed with God, the people faltered. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel pleaded with them to remain faithful, but many turned a deaf ear.

 

Years later, when the Persians conquered the Babylonians and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, most of them chose to remain in Babylon, having been accustomed to their newfound way of life. However, a few, numbering 49,897, as the book of Ezra put it (Ezra 2:64-65) returned to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. 

 

In the thirteen years, Nehemiah, a cupbearer for the Persian king, received distressing news from his brother and others who told him about the broken-down walls of Jerusalem, leaving the city vulnerable to further attacks  (Nehemiah 1:1-3).

 

Deeply disturbed, Nehemiah mourned for his fellow Jews, recognizing the significance of the walls as their protection against enemies ravaging the temple once again. Fueled by an unwavering passion to help, Nehemiah needed favour and permission from the King of Persia, who stood in the way of his return to Jerusalem. 

 

Yet, through divine intervention and persistent prayer, Nehemiah obtained permission from the king to rebuild the wall. He embarked on the journey and successfully rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem as he overcame all the obstacles that confronted him!

 

During the dedication ceremony, now Governor Nehemiah addressed the people, declaring, ” Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  

 

Just like Nehemiah, when facing challenging or discouraging times, you too can persevere in God’s plan for your life because the joy of the Lord is the strength that will navigate you through it all and bring you to the wonderful destination God has prepared for you.

 

While the world often brings sadness to its inhabitants, believers in Christ can overcome it through the joy of the Lord. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding you, choose joy, for it is through the joy of the Lord that you find strength. Hopelessness, sadness, negativity, sorrow, guilt, and depression are adversaries to both your Christian faith and your well-being. Reject a life overshadowed by sadness and negativity.

 

Consider the example of King David, who faced numerous challenges throughout his lifetime. Even when his own family doubted him, King Saul sought his life, and his son Absalom plotted a coup against him, causing him to flee for his life, David proclaimed, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4

 

However, the joy of the Lord cannot be obtained simply by asking for it. It is one of the fruits of the Christian life, grown through the work of the Holy Spirit within us. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

 

 Furthermore, the truest and purest joy flows from discovering Jesus Christ. It’s constant and surpasses mere happiness, which is temporal. As children of God, we carry His joy on earth and are called to live it out. We possess all that is necessary to manifest this joy and are obliged to share it with others (John 15:11).

 

Every Christian bears the responsibility to cultivate and display the joy of the Lord in their daily lives. This joy is not rooted in our circumstances but in our relationship with God. It is a deep, abiding sense of contentment and peace that comes from knowing and trusting in Him.

 

1. Seek God’s presence: Spend time in prayer and worship, seeking God’s presence and surrendering your burdens to Him. Allow His peace and joy to fill your heart as you draw near to Him. (1 Chronicles  16:11)

 

2. Meditate on God’s promises: Fill your mind with the truth of God’s word. Reflect on His promises of love, grace, and faithfulness. Remind yourself of His power and sovereignty over every situation. This will help shift your focus from your circumstances to the goodness and faithfulness of God. (Philippians 4:8)

 

3. Practice gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of thankfulness in every situation. Choose to look for the blessings and goodness of God, even during challenges. Express gratitude to God and others for the ways they have impacted your life. Gratitude opens the door to experiencing the joy of the Lord. (Ephesians 5:20)

 

4. Choose joy daily: Joy is a choice we make each day. Regardless of our circumstances, we can choose to rejoice in the Lord and find our strength in Him. This doesn’t mean we ignore or dismiss our challenges, but rather we choose to trust in God’s faithfulness and find joy in His presence. (Psalm 118:24)

 

5. Share the joy: As we experience the joy of the Lord, we are called to share it with others. Be a source of encouragement and hope to those around you. Show kindness, compassion, and love to those who are hurting. Your joy can be contagious and bring light to someone’s darkness. (Psalm 16:11)

 

Remember, the joy of the Lord is not dependent on external circumstances but on our relationship with God. When we choose to lean on Him and trust in His goodness, we can experience a joy that surpasses understanding. Let this joy be your strength as you navigate through life’s challenges, and may it shine brightly to those around you. 

 

To have a relationship with God and experience the joy that He gives, you must first surrender your life to Jesus and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour by saying this prayer after me; Almighty God, I believe with all my heart that Jesus is the son of God and He is the Lord of my life. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He is alive forever. I have eternal life through Him and His name. I am born again. Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul! I am now a child of God. Amen.