(12) And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

We often hear the words “the joy of the Lord is our strength” quoted within Christian circles, and for those from a charismatic background, you will have often heard this quote in conjunction with displays of so called “holy laughter” and other spiritual manifestations.

Although this quote is taken directly from Scripture, if we examine the context in which it was written, we realise that so often it is used today in a completely out of context manner. So if we are seriously going to attempt to allow this wonderful truth to affect our lives in Christ, it is vital that we understand the true meaning of the statement. This is most easily done by understanding the context in which it was spoken in the Scriptural account.

If we read through the book of Nehemiah, which is the source of this quote, we read a remarkable story of unity between God’s people, as they unite for the purpose of rebuilding the broken down walls surrounding the city of Jerualem. From the end of chapter two right through to the end of chapter seven, we read the account of how the Israelites worked together in the face of great opposition, to rebuild the city walls and begin rebuilding the buildings within the city itself. From the perspective of the flesh, these people had much to boast about, for they had accomplished a great work for the glory of God.

In chapter eight however we realise that the people all understood that their unity of purpose, and the victory it brought, was directly given by the Lords own hand, and the glory was His alone. This was evident as we read:

Nehemiah 8:1-3

(3)  Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

As Ezra read from the Book of the Law of Moses, and he and the other Levites gave understanding of the Scriptures to the people, and as they all worshipped the Lord together; the people were overcome with grief, for they all wept as they heard the Book of the Law being read.

When confronted with the Righteousness of God displayed in the Law, we are all convicted of our own unrigteousness, regardless of how great those good works may at first seem to be. The same was true of the Israelites in this account, for the Law of God brought the people low before His own Righteousness, even in the face of such a wonderful work they had accomplished themselves.

To truly experience the Joy of the Lord for ourselves, we must first experience the brokeness of our own unrighteousness in His sight, just as in the account above. Regardless of how good we may see ourselves, or how great our own works, we must understand the truth well spoken of by the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 64:4-7

(7)  And there is no one who calls on Your name, Who stirs himself up to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us, And have consumed us because of our iniquities.

When we are confronted by our own unrighteousness in the face of Gods Righteousness, it leads us to the place where we understand our need to be saved, for there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. This is a painful place to be, for all pride is cast down as nothing, and we find ourselves entirely at the mercy of the Lord Himself.

The wonderful news of the Gospel message we preach however, is that from this place of humility and helplessness, the Grace of God is extended to all who will call upon His name for salvation:

Romans 10:11-13

(13)  For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.“

What was directly responsible for the change of heart in the Israelites in the Nehemiah account, is directly the same that brings about the change of heart in all those who are humbled by His Righteousness, and that is that they understood and believed His Word spoken to them.

When we are convicted of our own unrighteousness to the point of crying out for salvation, which can be attributed only to the work of the Holy Spirit, then we are brought into the full grace of God, and the command of Jesus Christ Himself:

Mark 1:15

(15)  and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

When we humbly receive the salvation that only Christ can offer, we also find ourselves in the place where “the joy of the Lord is our strength”, but what we realise is that this statement has nothing to do with any emotional display of joyfulness on our part.

As the Scripture says, it is the Joy that belongs to the Lord that is our strength, and the One who brings Joy to Him is the One in whom He is “well pleased” Mark 1:11. When we believe upon the One who was sent to die for our sins, and choose to deny ourselves and follow Him because of that belief in our heart, then we truly enter the Joy of the Lord. For the thing that brings joy to the heart of the Father above all else, is when we believe in His Son Who was pierced for our transgressions.

In short, the joy of the Lord that is our strength, has nothing directly to do with us, even though it has a massive effect on the heart of all who believe. Just as His Righteousness is imparted to us from Christ as we believe in Him, so is the Joy that the heart of the Father expresses towards His Son. It is completely in and of the Lord Himself, and is imparted to us only because of the obedience unto death by Christ Jesus, as the only once and for all sacrifice that should cleanse us from our sins before a Holy and Righteous God.

Originally posted 2009-08-10 20:18:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter