The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

The Bible tells us that "the joy of the Lord is our strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)  It's a gift - and a promise.  When we go through hard days, difficult times it's so important to look for the joy in that day.  It's easy to just look at the hard things and miss the joy that's right in front of us.

An example for me - I'm not fond of rain, but I know we need it!  Our days are getting shorter, so I know winter is coming soon.  On the dark, gray, rainy days if I stop and thank the Lord for the rain - it changes my perspective.  I remind myself that there are places that need rain, and we are being blessed with it.  With enough rain, our dams/reservoirs will be full and we won't face drought!  My heart changes to gratitude, and I can find joy in God blessing us with the rain.  It's a simple thing, but it can change so much in our heart.

I begin to look for other things that bring joy as I go through the day.  As I'm grateful, I begin to see many things that are blessings.  A dreary day becomes a joyful one as I focus my attention this way.  Honestly, it's how I get through the cold, rainy, winter months!!  I anticipate the joyful things God will bring into my day!

At the end of the day I can look back at the joy He brought my way - and thank Him for the strength that came through that joy!!  It was God's blessing to me.

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near."  Philippians 4:4,5

"You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence."  Acts 2:28

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."  Romans 12:12

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The simplest way to find joy is to give thanks in whatever situation we're in.  Joy grows in our hearts as we do that.  If you're struggling, take time to sit in His presence and ask for His joy to fill your heart.  It's a prayer He loves to answer.  And He is faithful!

Walking in Joy and Hope

Overall, these days I am doing pretty well.  I'm grateful for that.  I still have up and down days energy wise.  I try to listen to my body, and adjust accordingly while still trying to keep going faithfully on the things I need to do.  But recently I realized that I have somewhat of a "plodding" attitude.  I'm missing the "joy" that I need.  I felt convicted of that, and I'm working on change.  I can't just plod - I need to walk in joy.

For me it begins with the time I spend with the Lord each morning.  Joy is rooted in who God is.  It's not based on how I feel or on my circumstances.  I need to receive His joy daily before I move on to the tasks.  When I'm careful to do that, the tasks become easier and I'm not "plodding."  It sounds so simple, and yet I've found I need to be purposeful in this!

"The joy of the Lord is my strength."  Nehemiah 8:10

"Everything seems to go wrong when you feel weak and depressed.  But when you choose to be cheerful, every day will bring you more and more joy and fullness."  Proverbs 15:15 TPT

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."  Romans 15:13

"Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full."  John 16:24 

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  Proverbs 17:22

Joy is a common theme all through the Bible.  It's clear that the Lord wants us to walk in joy no matter what we're facing.  I'm embracing that afresh!

A friend sent me a prayer this week.  It was written by George Matheson (1842-1906), a blind man who was a pastor and hymn writer.  It is incredibly powerful.  I wanted to share it with you.

"Dear Lord, You have made waiting beautiful and patience divine.  You have taught us that your will should be accepted, simply because it is your will.  You have revealed to us that a person may see nothing but sorrow in his cup yet still be willing to drink it because of a conviction that your eyes see farther than his own.  Father, give me Your divine power - the power of Gethsemane.  Give me the strength to wait for hope - to look through the window when there are no stars.  Even when my joy is gone, give me the strength to stand victoriously in the darkest night and say, 'To my heavenly Father, the sun still shines.'  I have reached the point of greatest strength once I have learned to wait for hope." 

I can't begin to imagine what this prayer meant to this dear man all those years ago, but it stirred my deepest heart as I read it.  Quite honestly, it's almost too much to pray all at once.  I've been praying it phrase by phrase - and will keep doing so.  There are a number of things I am waiting for in hope.  This prayer gives perspective to that wait.  It points out that waiting can be beautiful.  I don't usually see it that way! 

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."  Romans 15:13 

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31

In our darkest time - whatever that might be - the sun of God's love and grace still shines.  There is hope!  There are answers to prayers coming.  There is abundant strength for what we are facing.  There is new joy when it seems we have been robbed of joy.  There are plans God has for us that we can't yet see.  He has a future for us that we may not have planned.  He is good and faithful - and He wants to birth hope afresh in our hearts.