The words “The joy of the Lord is your strength” in Nehemiah 8:10 offer profound insight into an often overlooked source of strength for believers in Christ. This verse comes within the context of the people of Israel, having returned from exile in Babylon, gathering in Jerusalem and hearing the Law of Moses read to them. Their response was mourning and weeping as they became aware of how far they and their ancestors had strayed from obedience to God. But Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites who were teaching the people said to them, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep…Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:9-10).
Why did Nehemiah say their strength was found in the joy of the Lord? A close look at the context provides some clues.
First, the people of Israel were realizing the gravity of their disobedience and sin before God. This led them to grieve and mourn. But Nehemiah redirected their focus. Rather than wallowing in guilt, they were to rejoice on this holy occasion and celebrate God’s goodness. The joy of the Lord would empower them, not debilitating sorrow.
Second, they had just heard God’s Word read to them. They were rediscovering His laws, statutes and commands. Instead of letting this knowledge weigh them down with obligation and duty, Nehemiah exhorted them to find joy and delight in God’s presence with them. God had graciously revealed His will to them, and this was a source of joy.
Third, Nehemiah told the people to celebrate by feasting and sharing with others in need. Their joy in the Lord was to overflow in practical ways, blessing the community. Serving others is a means of deriving joy from the Lord.
The phrase “the joy of the Lord” implies that this joy is different than ordinary human happiness. It has its source in God Himself and all His glorious perfections. His joy is eternal, unchanging, undiminished by circumstances. And His own delight can remarkably become our source of empowerment and vitality.
How does this happen? Here are some biblical insights into how God shares His joy with His people:
1. God rejoices over His people with gladness (Zephaniah 3:17). As those created in His image, we can enter into the same joy He has over us. His delight in us becomes our joy.
2. God rejoices when sinners repent (Luke 15:7,10,32). Turning from sin and returning to the Father is reason for divine joy. As we turn from sin, we can share in this joy that thrills God’s heart.
3. Believers’ names are written in heaven, causing joy for Jesus Himself (Luke 10:20). The assurance we have of eternal life and intimacy with Christ can fill us with the same joy He has over our salvation.
4. God supplies joy as part of the fruit produced in believers by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Since this joy is divine in origin, it remains steadfast despite changing circumstances.
5. Believers receive joy in suffering because we are sharing in Christ’s sufferings (1 Peter 4:13). Because His sufferings were fueled by the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2), we can share in the same joy in the midst of trials, knowing they produce Christlike maturity in us.
6. Believers can pray for God to fill them with joy and peace as they trust in Him (Romans 15:13). As we depend on God through prayer, He pours His joy into our hearts.
7. The words of Scripture produce joy in God’s people (Jeremiah 15:16). As we read, study and memorize God’s Word, we begin to think His thoughts after Him and experience the resulting joy.
8. Abiding in Christ leads to fullness of joy (John 15:11). Maintaining an intimate connection with Jesus enables us to draw upon divine joy from the true vine.
9. Rejoicing in the Lord always is commanded, implying it is a spiritual discipline we can cultivate (Philippians 4:4). As we choose to rejoice in God regardless of circumstances, our joy grows steadily.
10. Believers’ love for one another produces joy as we obey Christ’s command to love as He has loved us (John 15:12). Selflessly loving other believers as Christ loves the church imparts the joy of the Lord.
In summary, the joy of the Lord refers to the joy He both models and imparts to His followers. As we turn from sin, trust in His grace, think His thoughts, pray, obey His commands, abide in intimate relationship with Him, and love one another, He shares His holy delight with us. This divine joy, transcending human happiness, becomes our strength. Joy is the spiritual vigor that energizes and motivates believers to live courageously for Christ, no matter the cost or adversity involved.
The joy of the Lord leads to strength to face every situation with faith and courage. The joy of the Lord leads to strength to obey God even when it requires self-denial and sacrifice. The joy of the Lord leads to strength to love others even when they are unloveable or unresponsive. The joy of the Lord leads to strength to fulfill the mission of God even when the task seems overwhelming. The joy of the Lord leads to strength to spread the Gospel boldly even when persecution comes. The joy of the Lord leads to strength to keep believing God’s promises even when circumstances tempt us to despair.
This supernatural joy is not dependent on positive events or absence of sorrow and pain. With the joy of the Lord as their strength, believers can suffer without being consumed by sorrow. They can face injustice without retalitating in anger. They can endure poverty without resorting to dishonest means of provision. They can overcome disappointment and setback without descending into bitterness, cynicism and pessimism. The joy of the Lord brings resilient strength in the midst of adversity.
There are countless examples among believers who have embodied the strength-producing power of God’s joy in the midst of trial:
Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsy finding joy in flea-infested barracks while imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp.
Jon and Bonnie Catir filling their home with laughter while battling his Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Jim and Elisabeth Elliott joyfully continuing to serve God after losing their spouses, Nate Saint and Jim Elliot, to murder by Huaorani tribesmen.
John Bunyan composing powerful sermons and books during 12 years locked in prison for sharing the Gospel.
The Apostle Paul and Silas singing hymns of praise to God in jail after being unjustly attacked and imprisoned, so that the Lord sent an earthquake to open the doors and set them free.
Perpetua gaily dining like a bride on her wedding day with her father the night before being martyred for her faith in the arena.
Countless believers today who face terminal illness, financial disaster, violence and oppression yet exhibit resilient joy in the Lord as their strength.
What empowers such behavior so contrary to human inclinations? The joy of the Lord, which no adversary can steal or diminish.
This profound, empowering joy is available to all who put their faith in Christ. It is not, however, automatic. To access the strength-giving joy of the Lord, we must:
1. Accept salvation through Christ and receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, who produces supernatural joy as one facet of His presence within us.
2. Renew our minds daily through reading Scripture, which always provides reasons to rejoice in God and strengthens us inwardly (Psalm 19:8).
3. Pray continually, which keeps us rooted in our relationship with the God of hope, who fills us “with all joy and peace as we trust in him” (Romans 15:13).
4. Choose joy by practicing gratitude, meditating on God’s promises, singing praise and giving thanks even when we don’t feel a prompt from our emotions to do so. As we make such choices by faith, the feelings follow.
5. Obey God wholeheartedly, knowing that walking in holiness protects us from losing our joy to indulging the flesh and its pleasures (Galatians 5:16-17).
6. Hope fully in the completion of God’s saving work in us at Christ’s return, which will culminate in being filled with “inexpressible and glorious joy” in His presence forever (1 Peter 1:3-9).
The joy of the Lord defies circumstance because it flows from the never-changing, righteous character of God Himself. When we receive His salvation, cling closely to the Savior, and seek to align our thoughts, choices, and behavior with His purposes, He shares His perfect joy with us abundantly. This divine strength-infusing joy is a powerful antidote for the uncertainty, turmoil and sorrows of this fallen world.
That is why Nehemiah directed God’s people centuries ago, and wise pastors still proclaim today, “The joy of the Lord is your strength!” As the beloved hymn says, “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow / Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! / Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.” The joy of the Lord brings the strength to live fully and courageously for Christ each day with great hope and confidence in our faithful, joy-giving God.
