The fulness of Joy
One of the things about joy is that it comes via many avenues and for one reason. Joy can come from material possessions or achievements (pro12:20), relationships (pro10:1), positions in society such as jobs or from doing evil things. Joy is the feeling of great pleasure and happiness. The quest for joy is on everyone’s aim as we traverse through life (pro10:28). It is in everyone’s heart to find joy. It is one of the fruits of God’s Spirit (Ga5:22). It can come at any time or moment, but as soon as we wake joy takes precedence over all the other feelings (ps30:5). There is something added to joy to make it complete and more satisfactory and that is strength, but that only comes from the Lord.
Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
God’s people were assembled after the building of the temple of God and they were listening to the reading of the word of God per the kings command. But, after the people heard the word of the Lord they were heavily affected and mourned with great pain. Though many did not understand the law, they became sad that they had failed the Lord. In those times when God’s people failed him and sinned he would give them up to captivity. So, Nehemiah had the Levites explain the law in simple terms that the people might understand it.
Now, there are two ways to look at this phrase the joy of the Lord is our strength. One way is that if we seek to please the Lord and make him find pleasure in us(prv16:7, ps147:11), that alone will induce strength in us. And, the other is a supernatural feeling of joy that comes from him which will produce strength in us to help us through whatever we are going through(ps16:11). The joy of the Lord is a venue of strength and it comes when we least expect it and when the spirit moves (Is61:10).
After they mourned and when they understood the scriptures, the people God began to rejoice. Nehemiah exhorted the people to prepare the meals and share with those that did not have any.
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.
When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.