The Joy of the Lord

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”…. Nehemiah 8:10

The people, who had wept before, under a sense of sin, were now called upon to rejoice. Holy mourning prepares the way for spiritual mirth. Clear shinning follows rain. It was well that they kept themselves under such control that they could weep or rejoice as they were bidden. Their joy was remarkable for its spirituality and universality, and in these and other ways it was an example for us.

There is a Joy of divine origin:

1.         It rejoices in God himself, his character, his doings, his commands, and all that makes up his glory. It rejoices especially that he himself is ours. “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord”…Phil. 3:1

2.         It possesses a deep sense of reconciliation, acceptance, adoption, and union with Christ Jesus. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation…Isaiah 12:3

That Joy is a source of strength:

1.         It arises from considerations that strengthen. The same truths that make us glad also make us strong.

2.         It fortifies against temptation, or persecution, or affliction, and so it proves a present strength in time of need.

Mr. Moody says, “I never knew a case where God used a discouraged man or woman to accomplish any great thing for him. Let a minister go into the pulpit in a discouraged state of mind, and it becomes contagious: it will soon reach the pews, and the whole church will be discouraged. So with a Sabbath-school teacher: I never knew a worker of any kind who was full of discouragement, and who met with great success in the Lord’s work. It seems as if God cannot make large use of such men.”

When we are weakened by sadness we do not speak attractively. Our statements lack certainty, and energy. We are apt to quarrel over trifles, to be turned aside by discouragements, and in general to do our work badly. Soldiers march best to music, and sailors work most happily when they can join in a cheery note; and I am sure we do the same.

Joyful Christians set the sinner’s mouth a watering for the dainties of true religion. When the prodigal returned, he was shod, and clothed, and adorned, but we do not read that the servants were to put meat into his mouth. Yet they were to feed him, and they did so by themselves feasting: “Let us eat and be merry.” This would be the surest way to induce the poor hungry son to make a meal. If saints were happier, sinners would be far more ready to believe.