"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.” (Neh 8:10)
In the book of Nehemiah, we read that God raised Nehemiah to build a wall around Jerusalem. This task was accomplished miraculously in 52 days. As the people gathered together, Ezra the priest and teacher of the law was also present, who read the law of the Lord. As they listened to the words of the Law, the people grieved and started weeping. They knew that they had broken the commandments of the Lord and failed to keep their vows to God. But Nehemiah encourages them and tells them to stop grieving and to rejoice in the Lord because the joy of the Lord is their strength.
The joy of the Lord is a believer's strength.
Joy is not momentary happiness; it does not depend on circumstances.
Joy is not of the flesh, it is spiritual. It's a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
The joy people in the New Testament experience is different from the joy in the Old Testament. There are two main reasons:
Christ's sacrifice permanently changed the relationship God has with mankind
Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to us after His ascension
Jesus promised us His joy
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." John 15:10, 11
Jesus has given us His joy. His Holy Spirit living in us enables us to experience this fullness of joy.
The joy of the Lord is strange that we experience it in circumstances that cannot be understood naturally. For example, there is joy in the midst of sufferings, when God blesses others, when there is a spiritual fulfilment even in the absence of any material or personal gain.
How do we receive this joy?
In the midst of trials
God calls us to rejoice in the midst of difficulties
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; - 1 Peter 1: 6, 7
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. – James 1: 2-4
We are to consider it a joy when we go through trials because it proves us and our faith. It is part of God's plan to build the likeness of His Son in us. Through the things we suffer, we learn to bear fruit. Since these circumstances, while extremely difficult, make us become perfect and complete, we can rejoice in them by understanding God's purpose. Hallelujah!
When you repent of your sins
Sin separates us from God, removing our joy. Reconciling with God and His forgiveness brings joy.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."
Ps 51:10-12
When God answers your prayer
There is great joy when something you have been praying for a long time is granted. You might have been praying for a loved one's salvation, healing from sickness, a job, a house, or direction, or another spiritual or natural need. When your prayer is answered, your heart is filled with joy in experiencing God's faithfulness.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. (Prov 13:12)
If you are still waiting on God for answer to prayer, continue to call on God. He who called you is faithful!
When God builds His people
When God builds up His church and causes us to grow in Him, in fellowship with Him and with one another, it brings joy in our heart.
"Shout joyfully to God, all the earth
Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You."
Ps 66:1-3
When God uses you and me for His glory
Everyone has a calling; everyone has a gift; everyone has a ministry. Some are called to the ministry of the word, some are called to music ministry, but they are not the only ministries. There are many ministries of helps, administration, service and others that are there in the body that we need to be stepping into according to God's calling and His work.
When we are used by God for the calling He has called us with, using the gifting He gives us, it gives us tremendous joy!
When you are truly in God's presence
When we are in God’s presence either as individuals or as a community, God blesses us with fulness of joy. Let us constantly seek His presence.
“In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Ps 16:11
Let us seek God to experience the true joy in His presence, in His service, and in fellowship with His people.