October 16

The Joy Of The Lord

Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” — Neh 8:10 BSB

Joy and gladness are essential to human well-being. We cannot live our best life if sorrow and depression take full control. In this chapter, three sources of joy are mentioned.

First, the people understood the Divine Word and were enriched by it. Their eagerness to listen as Ezra opened the Sacred Book was remarkable (Nehemiah 8:3, 5, 12, 18). Let us also find delight in God’s Word. We should not read the Bible merely as a duty, but meditate on it until its beauty weaves itself into our thoughts and lives. By doing so, our lives become purified and enriched. We will no longer desire corrupt things, but God will give us the desires of our hearts, and we will be satisfied as we delight in Him.

Second, they shared their blessings with those who had nothing prepared (Nehemiah 8:10-12). There is no better remedy for sorrow than healing the brokenhearted. The best comfort we can experience comes from comforting others. Nehemiah wisely advised his people to share their joys and sweet things with those who lacked comfort and luxury.

Christianity offers additional sources of joy. Our Savior gives us His joy because He reveals the Father to us, gives us rest in Him, and provides a worthy purpose for our lives. He makes work lighter because He assigns it, makes sorrow bearable because He shares it, and makes death desirable because He has opened the door to the Father’s house. We can participate in His joy (John 15:11; 16:22-24).

Finally, their obedience brought them joy. As soon as they understood the words they heard, they began to practice them. No wonder there was joy! Keeping God’s commandments brings great reward. During the Feast of Tabernacles, our Lord spoke of the Holy Spirit entering the heart to satisfy its deepest thirst and to flow out like rivers to a dying world (John 7:37-39). We can’t do much without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Only through Him can we be right with God, truly glad, and able to pass on joy to others.

Prayer

We thank You, O God, that we may share in our Lord’s redemptive work. May the gifts He has received, even for the rebellious, fill our hearts with joy and gladness. Amen.