The Joy of The Lord is Your Strength!

“The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). 

This simple truth can sometimes get lost in the busyness of life. Whether it’s work, family, financial situations or the myriad of other things going on in life. You may find that these other things will try to dictate your mood and even perspective. But, I want to encourage you with the truth of what the Lord says about you and to you today. 

The Lord is your strength and your shield (Psalms 28:7). The Lord is your keeper (Psalms 121:5). He is your present help, Jehovah Shammah, in time of trouble (Psalms 46:1). He watches over you and keeps you in all of your ways (Psalms 91:11). You do not walk alone (Hebrews 13:5). His joy is your continual portion (Psalms 16:11).

Joy is a sign of victory. Only those who are victorious in battle can laugh. And the beauty of living on this side of the cross is that the battle has been won. It seems trivial to most people but, there is such simplicity in this walk with God.

I love how Paul says that God uses the foolish things to confound the wise because it’s the truth (1 Corinthians 1:27). Kingdom principles work opposite to the world’s logic. I mean “give and you will receive” (Luke 6:38)  while the world will tell you to hoard it all for yourselves. Pray for things and believe you have received it BEFORE you have seen it, while the world will tell you if you haven’t seen it, it’s not going to happen (Mark 11:24).

Let’s take Abraham for example. One of my favourite patriarchs. His faith is so admirable and I am seriously grateful that, because of his faith I’m now counted as righteous in God’s sight through faith (Romans 4:23-24). 

Anyway, Abraham’s name was changed from Abram to Abraham (which means the father of many nations) before Isaac was conceived. And one thing that blesses me in particular about this name change is that, way before he saw the promise come to pass, he was addressing himself and others around him were addressing him as a father of many nations despite not having any children of his own just yet.

Hebrews 11:1 NLT says:

“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”

And it’s evident in this story. Just because your situation seems stagnant, that there is nothing moving in the natural, it doesn’t mean God isn’t working! Faith is the currency of heaven. You have to move radical at times, even when those around you don’t understand or can’t see how God’s going to come through. You need to keep believing. Despite the fact that Sarah doubted her ability to bear him a son, Abraham still hoped, kept believing that they would have their own son because “God had said” (Romans 4:17-18). Those simple words are what Abraham stood on for all those years. 

And do you know what’s so beautiful about living on this side of the cross? The battle has been won. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT:

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.”

‭‭Once and for all. The price paid. The victory won. Death has been defeated, we can have peace and we can laugh in the face of adversity because our God is champion! He is our promise FULFILLED! In and through Him we have all that we need. He has already overcome the world and everything in it! John 16:33 is one of the first scriptures I memorised and it still blesses me so much! The peace and rest we can have because it has already been accomplished is so amazing. We don’t have to worry or stress because it’s already been done. The record of debt has been cleared, the slate wiped clean. The walls have been toppled over by the cross. The veil was torn in two. We now have access into the holy of holies through the blood. That blood that speaks a better word than that of Abel. 

Fear, anxiety and worry about what is to come is not your portion, let it be far from you as you meditate on God’s love for you. His perfect love is what casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). And be rest assured that He is causing all things to work together for your good (Romans 8:28). He is the Alpha through Omega, not just at the beginning or waiting at the end. He is the in-between God. The One who walks with you. Your present help in time of need. There was a time in my life where times were really tough and I had nothing but the word of God to pull me through. One portion of scripture that I meditated on day and night was Matthew 6:25-34. I would snack on it through the day, washing my mind of anything and everything else just reminding myself to not worry using those particular verses.

I want to encourage you to rest in His finished work today. Everything has been accomplished for you at the cross. Let His joy be a banner over you as you delight yourselves in Him. He loves you deeper than you could ever imagine. You are NOT forgotten. You are the apple of His eye, His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). His beloved child. This love transforms, this love is everything. 

Make sure to smile and laugh. Don’t allow anyone or anything steal your joy. It is your birthright as a child of God. You are royalty, you are victorious (1 Peter 2:9, Romans 8:37). There is nothing standing in the way of you and your Father. You are accepted as you are just because of who He is! You have the victory, you have already won. Not because of what you’ve done but, because of what He has done.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! - Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬