The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength

Throughout the Bible that are many admonitions for us to be strong.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Those are just a couple. But how do we become strong in the Lord? Several things contribute to our strength, such as our routine spiritual exercises, i.e. prayer, Bible study, and fasting. The main source of our strength, though, is the joy of the Lord.

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them. Nehemiah 8:10, 12

That leads to the next question: How do we obtain the joy of the Lord? Where does this joy come from? As usual, the answers are found in the pages of your Holy Bible.

Hearing the Word of God and putting it in our hearts will bring us joy:

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

Separating ourselves from the things of the world, and seeking God will bring us joy:

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

Also, in II Chronicles 30:18-27, Hezekiah had the people cleanse themselves from the idolatry they practiced under his father's rule, and they offered sacrifices to God. This brought them great joy!

Walking in the Spirit, and doing the right thing, will bring us joy:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 2:26

Giving our tithes and offerings, with a good attitude, will bring us joy:

Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly, And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron. Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. II Chronicles 29:6-7, 9

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7

Having meekness will bring us joy:

The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:19

Keeping God's commandments will bring us joy:

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. John 15:10-11

Trusting in the Lord will bring us joy:

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12

CONCLUSION

Here, again, are some of the things we can do to increase our joy, which will, in turn, increase our strength:

1 – Hear the Word of God and hide it in our hearts

2 – Separate ourselves from worldly things and seek God

3 – Walk in the Spirit and do the right thing

4 – Cheerfully pay tithes and give offerings

5 – Have meekness

6 – Keep God's commandments

7 – Trust in the Lord

May God, and His Son, Jesus Christ, bless and keep you as you continue in your walk with Him. Amen!