In Nehemiah 12:43 we see all of the people rejoice at the reading of the law. In chapter 8 they had grieved when the law was read and they became convicted that Israel had neglected the law and worse they had failed to serve YHWH, the Lord, wholeheartedly.
Nehemiah’s answer was not to continue in sorrow but rejoice, because “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 ESV
We have heard that verse repeated so many times that we have failed to see its full meaning or we just don’t appreciate it. I think we like to encourage others with it, but we fail to apply it in our own lives.
Yahweh is a God of joy, full of compassion, slow to anger, and is always good. Having said that we are still confronted with a world filled with disease and sickness, death, extortion, human trafficking, bondage, murder, anger rage, and many more issues. Yet, God is good and is cause for joy.
Nehemiah had learned to choose Yhwh’s joy over the lies of the enemy and believed the obstacles in front of him were the end result. Rather he chose to live in God’s presence and encouraged the people to do likewise. Choosing to serve and obey God always is to choose joy.
The kingdom life is a life of joy no matter what. In Nehemiah chapter twelve there was a joy heard far from Jerusalem recorded in chapter 12 verse 43. Joy can be seen through facial expressions, dancing, and other ways. However, joy also has a sound and the world needs to hear our joy.
So, I encourage you to let the joy of the Lord be your strength and let it resound loudly wherever you go. You don’t have to be on social media or a musician to make your joy be heard.
Rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice, Phillippians 4:4 ESV
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