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The Joy of the Lord – Week 25 / June 17th
“…..Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord
is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
Nothing drains our emotional well being and physical strength like sorrow and discouragement. Life in itself is a challenge and is filled with all manner of troubles, trials and unexpected difficulties. As it goes by these can “pile up” upon us and turn our days into ones of bitterness and disappointment. This is exactly what happened to Naomi; the passing years and their challenges in Moab coupled with the loss of her two sons wore her down and left her bitter. She knew it well but could not do anything about it, or so she thought. (Ruth 1:19-20) A godly Moabites called Ruth taught her to sing again and rejoice. (Ruth 4:14-15)
I know of many of God’s children, who are likewise committed, living a clean and godly life but are filled with regret, sorrow and even bitterness. You could be one of them. Jesus wants you to know that the joy that He gives is real and can be yours no matter what challenges you are facing and no matter what disappointments you have had to cope with. The joy of the Lord is your strength and you must determine today to do whatever it takes to recapture it. This is the will of God for you. So, where does one begin? Well:
1. By being properly related to God in Christ
There are things that rightly so rob of us of our joy. These things are living in such a way that we displease God. In short get right with God and do whatever it takes to get to a place where you are at peace with God and know it. This invariably means some soul searching, some repentance and getting our lives on a proper devotional footing with God. Christians who do not seek God cannot expect to be infused with His joy. The lack of joy in our lives then can be a catalyst to drive us into a new relationship with Jesus. After all Jesus said exactly this:
“Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep
and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you
will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned
into joy.”
John 16:20
Those in a right relationship with Jesus have a promise from Him that is really incredible. That is, Jesus said to His Disciples and therefore to you and me, “Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24)
2. By recognizing that joy is an evidence of the Kingdom of God
If one is truly in the Kingdom of God then joy is an outward evidence of it. This is really a challenge to all of us and we should think carefully about it. Paul recognized this and even though, at a human level, his life was a proverbial “train smash” he still knew that the air and atmosphere of the Kingdom of God is joy. So, writing to the Church at Rome he said:
“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking
But righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17
The Kingdom of God is defined as that place where God is present and reigns. This means that if God is present in our lives then joy is certainly one of the evidences of it.
3. By speaking to ourselves
Yes, there are times when you just have to give yourself a jolly good speaking to! We can so easily let life’s disappointments overwhelm us and send us into a pity party. We’ve all done it! At those times you have to recount the goodness and faithfulness of God and shrug off your gloom by giving yourself a spiritual wake up call. With God on our side how can we possibly fail? (Romans 8:31-39) So, David of old, who had so many struggles, had cultivated the art of giving his soul a good reprimand. We need to do the same. This is what he wrote:
“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you
disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise
Him for the help of my countenance.”
Psalm 42:5
It is important to note that David knew that he was suffering from a depressed countenance. He had allowed his many troubles to get on top of him and thus weigh his heart down. His remedy was simple: Speak to your soul!! There are times when you and I have to do the same.
So, then dear friends, rise up and claim you godly inheritance to be a person of great joy. God is with you and nothing at all can separate you from His great love in Jesus and no circumstance is outside of His control. These simple, but wonderful truths should in themselves fill you with much joy!
Malcolm Hedding
©Malcolm Hedding Ministries
2014Devotional