THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength

 (Nehemiah 8:10)

There is much in our world to make us anxious.  Inflation is up as is the crime rate.  Though some may earn bigger salaries, money doesn’t go as far as it once did.  We own more, but feel less satisfied and struggle to find time to enjoy what we do have.  We are stressed out and stretched thin, overfed yet undernourished and out of shape.

We desire to live according to God’s instructions, but find ourselves hindered by what our culture terms political correctness.  Expectations of family, friends, co-workers, fellow church members and countless others may prevent us from being all He is calling us to be.

Under these circumstances, it is easy to fall into an attitude of defeat.  Is it any wonder then that non-believers are uninterested in becoming Christians?  Why would they be drawn to a religion that offers no more hope, joy or satisfaction than they are experiencing without God?

Life here on Earth with its daily assault of bad news and negative circumstances, cannot be lived in a state of contentment and joy.  At least, not when we try to do it in our own strength.  If we try to fake it, we will not ring true.  Pseudo-joy will eventually show itself to be only skin deep, diminishing our Christian witness.

But there is hope.  God’s Word tells us that we do not have to go it alone.  There we learn that we are caught between the world, of which Satan is master, and the heavenly kingdom in which we became citizens when we accepted Christ as our Savior.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places

 (Ephesians 6:12)

Recognizing that as God’s children we are caught in a spiritual battle helps us grasp the necessity of living, not in our own strength, but in that which is available to every believer. It is through His power we are able to face the difficulties of life with the peace and joy that only He can give:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might…therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand

 (Ephesians 6:10, 13)

                                          Lord, when we’re in rhythm with the world,
                                          and out of tune with You,
                                          our strength and peace and joy depart,
                                          and fears assault anew.
                                          So tune our ears again to You,
                                          to hear Your loving voice.
                                          Give us wisdom that we might
                                          make Yours our song of choice.