The Joy

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Nehemiah 8:10

The world definition of joy is associated with achieving goals, a feeling of great pleasure or happiness that comes from success, a sense of well-being, happiness, gladness, which is short-lived. Happiness is often sparked by a particular moment that brings a sense of excitement or exhilaration.

Joy, on the other hand is long-lasting state of being, characterized by contentment, confidence and satisfaction. In the Bible it is a fruit of the Spirit, comforting, content and full of peace. An enduring attitude of the heart and spirit, and a natural part of the Christian faith. We may not always see joy but it is still there deep within us because the Holy Spirit lives in us.   It's often connected with peace, which has no limit and based on following Jesus and pursuing the Christian life. The word strength paints a picture of God’s protection over us.  When we’re weak, we can seek refuge in God’s loving arms.  He is our place of safety, so our strength comes from our intimate relationship with God and we find joy in him through any circumstance.

Psalm 98: 4 “Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! We sing Joy to the World because Jesus came to bring us this wonderful joy at Christmas time.  It is the continuous presence of God that fills us with overflowing joy!  We can live in the joy of the Lord everyday.  Chaos and busyness take over our lives sometimes.  It is easy for stress and overwhelm to replace our joy when we are constantly busy and not focused.

When we believe in Jesus and accept Him as Savior, we will experience continuous presence of God that fills us with overflowing joy! This real joy, comes directly from God.  It’s an inner feeling of calm that is always there no matter what is happening on the outside and around us.

Dear Lord, how great and wonderful is your joy that gives me strength even during difficult times.  Help me stay close to you and walk hand in hand with you.  I choose your joy today in every circumstance. 

Reflection:  What does it take to experience the joy of the Lord daily in your life and to be a vessel?