A Place Called Joy

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”  Nehemiah 8:9-10 

So I’m watching a special about two athletes that I admired when I was younger.  They had been best of friends, but because of competition and miscommunication, they had separated for years; nearly twenty years.  However, when they got back together, it was like they had never been apart.  The closest thing I can recall like it was when I saw my oldest brother after a decade of him living in Florida.  It was like watching me ten years later, and I cherished that time we spent. 

When I think of my relationship with God, I know He is Lord over my life.  I am His humble servant, but yet, He calls me a friend.  I struggle understanding that, but my best guess on how that works is simply this.  I don’t expect anything from Him, but when I do something well, I can feel He is happy with me.  The commonality in all three stories is this place in my heart positively responds to them.  The response is called joy. 

Joy is an everlasting connection with God.  In today’s verses, the people of Jerusalem were at an assembly hearing the law of God read them.  As I read of them weeping, I can only feel that they wept reflecting on their own standing with God.  Then Nehemiah, understanding the greater purpose God had in their lives, spoke, “the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  He wished to emphasize that God was with them, and with it, they had reassurance and peace.  They had happiness that was both unshakable and everlasting.  This was joy.  When we gave our life to Christ, we too were given a new life filled with an opportunity to serve the one true living God.  It is not something that can be neither taken from us nor reversed.  We are to embrace it for what it is; a chance to live a better life beyond ourselves.  To do be able to do things in the name of God that many might not even understand, and then celebrate because we have the very strength that Nehemiah spoke to the people of Jerusalem of. 

There is no situation that our God cannot handle.  While we at times find ourselves too tired to carry on, He carries us forward, but only if we just are willing to hand our worries, fears, and anxieties to Him.  A song by Bebe and Cece Winans has a closing chorus saying to Jesus Christ, “You are my love and my prize possession.  Because of you I’ve got pride and joy.  Tell the world it’s love everlasting, hope everlasting, joy everlasting. I’ve got joy!”  Do not let the weight of the world tear you down.  Remember your strength in Christ.  Where is the joy you have with Christ?  How can you focus on His strength when you feel weak?  My prayer is that we look deep inside ourselves where God is connected to us, and find that place called joy.  Amen, and I pray for you and your family a most joyous and Merry Christmas!