The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength

"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV).

Our verse for today is the last sentence of Nehemiah 8:10. It's a familiar memory verse and one that "should" encourage us; Instead, a real-world question follows:

"How is the joy of the Lord supposed to give me strength when I feel weak and discouraged?" This is a reasonable question.

Image: Charlie Wollborg via Unsplash

Time Travel: Back to the Future

Let's go back in time to about 443-444 BC. We are dropped into Jerusalem in the square before the Water Gate. We see this is a large public gathering space, not a temple. Men, women, and young people are all around us. We are amazed to see over 40,000 people!

Then, Ezra the priest brings the Book of the Law before us. He stands on a wooden platform, elevated high above us. Thirteen assistants are by his side, six on his left and seven on his right. All are wearing colorful ceremonial regalia.

As Ezra raises the book and opens it, everyone bows down, their faces to the ground, worshiping God. He begins reading from the Book of the Law. People around us weep. They know how far they have strayed from God's Law.

We see people crying out, acknowledging their sin and asking God for forgiveness. They appear genuinely repentant. At the height of despair, Nehemiah (the Governor), Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites shouted out to the crowd,

"This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep."

They continue to offer encouraging words, telling everyone to go about their business, eat, drink, and share what they have prepared. And then we hear them say,

"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

We are watching a mass revival! People are celebrating; their joy is contagious! This is good news because from their repentance, God has forgiven His people.

The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength

And just like that, we are back to the "here and now." Make sure you change clothes. People will think you are weird, dressed like a Jew in 444 BC.

So, what did we learn from that field trip to Jerusalem? Can we better answer the question, "How is the joy of the Lord supposed to give me strength when I feel weak and discouraged?"

Consider the following:

First, remember that "joy" in this context is different from the feeling of joy we typically experience. Psycho-emotional joy is usually tied to our circumstances and how we are feeling in the moment–like "weak and discouraged." During these times, it can be difficult, or impossible, to find joy by "pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps."

But the joy of the Lord is your strength operates differently–it is transcendent, rising above our normal feelings like Ezra on the wooden platform. It is a characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit that all believers have within them. This biblical truth that the joy of the Lord is your strength means we can access divine power even when our emotions tell us otherwise.

Like the ancient Jews, we have the opportunity to call on God's strength — God's fruit— that is latent within us. Joy is one of the nine "flavors" that we can experience IF we recognize that the strength comes from the Lord, not our own. When we truly understand that the joy of the Lord is your strength, we realize it's not about manufacturing positive feelings but about tapping into God's unchanging character and promises.

Practical Challenge

So, what if we find ourselves feeling weak and discouraged?

Perhaps we feel sad because a reduction in force ends a career, which can lead to feelings of weakness and discouragement.

Maybe we feel angry because of the senseless battles taking place in our cities and countries. "Weak and discouraged" are common byproducts.

In these moments when our circumstances seem to contradict the truth that the joy of the Lord is your strength, we need a practical way to reconnect with this spiritual reality.

When we experience any "life happens" moments, and we aren't appreciating "The joy of the Lord is your strength," then consider the following prayer:

Heavenly Father, I feel weak and discouraged. My joy has been replaced by sorrow, anger, and other overwhelming emotions. I repent and acknowledge that I am incapable of rising above this challenge on my own. I pray that you activate Your Fruit of the Spirit in my life. I ask for the joy of the Lord despite my present circumstances. I thank you in advance for bringing out the joy of Christ in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Remember, the promise that the joy of the Lord is your strength isn't dependent on your circumstances changing–it's rooted in God's unchanging nature and His love for you. Just as the Israelites found strength through joy in their moment of brokenness, you too can discover that supernatural strength is available even in your darkest hours. The joy of the Lord is your strength, not because life gets easier, but because God remains faithful.

Related Posts:

• Finding Joy Through Faith in Sorrow

• Introduction to Fruit of the Spirit Blog