10 …for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
Remember the song that goes, “I’ve got the JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY down in my heart. Where?” What a great childhood memory and teaching to grasp hold of. The joy that we have is not from outward circumstances or things because they are based on the natural realm which is temporary. The interesting part of this verse is that the word “strength” in Hebrew means a place of safety, a refuge, or a stronghold of protection. There is only one other place this Hebrew word shows up in this form and that is in David’s Psalm of thanks in 1 Chronicles 16:27. David states that, “… strength and gladness are in his presence.”
The joy that we have in the Lord is that we are eternally safe and protected forevermore. To us born again believers this should make total sense. We have had the eyes of our hearts enlightened to the hope in which we have been called (Ephesians 1:18) and therefore look not to what is seen but what is unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18). This is why Paul wrote to us to “Rejoice in the Lord always,” (Philippians 4:4) and “be joyful always.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16) He lived with an eternal mindset on the Spirit and was teaching and directing us to do the same. God is a spirit (John 4:24) and his presence is found in the spiritual realm.
How do you and I connect to the spiritual realm?? Jesus answered this multiple times. “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63) The Word of God is Spirit and gives us spiritual insight and connection to the world we cannot see with our physical eyes. So when we trust and obey the Word of God over our physical circumstances, we remain in him and our joy is complete (John 15:10-11).
A few years ago I stepped out in faith in response to God’s calling on my life to journey to Africa. I had never gone to any country there, I did not know any organizations, nor people, nor have any connections. Yet, I chose to follow Jesus to meet a man who trained pastors, planted churches, and took care of orphans throughout the continent. I traveled 15 hours by plane, stayed overnight in Dubai, and then another 6 hour flight to Zambia all by myself. When I landed and realized that I was the only white person, fear started to creep in. I didn’t know anyone, I didn’t have a phone number to call anybody, and I stood out in the crowd as I walked out of the security checkpoint at the airport. I took a deep breath, rebuked the spirit of fear, and traversed through the crowd. As I reached the end there were three men who greeted me with smiles and handshakes. Whew! Thank you Father for being faithful! I was safe, happy, and laughing, instantly making new friendships as we left the airport. I received his joy by trusting him at his word.
Over the next 9 days we drove long hours through rough roads and terrain to towns out in the “bush.” I met amazing men and women of God that passionately devoted their lives to Jesus. I remember getting up at 4 am and embarking on the road early to make our next destination. I was tired!! After nearly 12 hours of driving we finally made it to Mansa. A small town with dirt roads and very little infrastructure. Our plan was to meet the pastor who planted the church and helped run the orphanage as we attended a three day conference. We pulled to a stop on the small side street and a group of children were there singing. I opened the door to the van and began to weep. The children had huge smiles on their faces and sang with the greatest joy I had witnessed in quite a long time.
These orphans had nothing in comparison to what I had been blessed with in my life. Yet, here they were welcoming me with singing, and smiles, and laughter. Many did not have a home to sleep at because the government only allowed the orphanage to assist with food, clothes, and schooling. I learned much about them over the next few days. I thought that I was going to teach them about Jesus but God, through them, taught me where true joy came from and what true joy led to in his presence. So much so, that the children and I sang a song together the next day, a song that they taught me…”Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice!”