Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser
What if your greatest strength had nothing to do with your circumstances? You see, the joy of the Lord is more than just a passing feeling; it’s a divine strength that anchors us through every trial and triumph of life. Unlike worldly happiness that depends on circumstances, the joy God gives flows from His presence, His promises, and His unfailing love. This joy is constant, unshakable, and deeply rooted in our fellowship with Him. It is what empowers us to stand firm, bringing inner peace when storms rage and resilience when challenges arise. The joy of the Lord steadies our hearts, fuels our faith, and equips us to move forward with hope, no matter what we face. When we truly understand this truth, we can face anything life sets before us. This article explores this life-transforming power. Let’s discover together the joy that changes everything.
We were created to walk and talk with God, rejoicing and being glad every single day. The Bible tells us that this is the day the Lord has made for us to rejoice and be glad in Him. God designed each day for us to experience joy, regardless of our circumstances, because joy is essential to our lives. The joy of the Lord is our strength. God is good, and it delights Him to give us every good and perfect gift. He desires for us to walk in His joy. Today, let us start a new path – a path of walking and talking with God, enjoying our lives, and allowing His joy to be our strength.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). What is the joy of the Lord? Jesus was able to endure the cross because of the joy set before Him. He was willing to pay the price to have a relationship with us and to fulfil the will of the Father, no matter the cost. So, what was this joy that motivated Him? We were the joy set before Him. It was our relationship with Him that gave Him the strength to endure the tremendous suffering – the cross, the beatings, the torture, and everything He went through. We were the joy that helped Him endure the cross.
The joy of the Lord is our strength, which means that our strength comes from joy. But what is the joy of the Lord? It is our relationship with Him. Our connection to God becomes our source of strength. Jesus, while He was on Earth, did not yet have the relationship with us that He desired. Though He had a place at the right hand of the Father and had already heard the affirmation, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” what He longed for was a personal relationship with each of us. He valued this relationship so much that He paid the ultimate price – one that no one else could afford. He chose to lay down His life for us, calling us friends. This realisation leads us to understand that the joy of the Lord truly lies in our relationship with Him. His relationship with us was and still is God’s joy, the joy that was set before Him. The joy of the Lord can sustain us through anything. This is how Paul was able to survive shipwrecks, beatings, and all the hardships he faced. Despite these challenges, he repeatedly spoke about the joy of the Lord. How can someone face such difficulties without succumbing to a victim mentality and instead emerge victorious? The answer lies in the life of God within us – specifically, His joy and the relationship we share with Him, which becomes our strength.
In this life, we can enter into a relationship or fellowship with God at any time and in any place, even when things are not going well. We can experience the joy of the Lord. This isn’t just about acting happy or trying to feel a specific emotion; it goes much deeper. It is a joy that is inexpressible and full of glory – essentially, full of the presence of God. Whether we are facing good times, challenges, or impossible circumstances, the joy of the Lord is always available to us. Isn’t that amazing? Praise God! We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven. The prayer says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God wants us to enter into that joy not only when we reach heaven; the kingdom of heaven has already come to us, and it has already begun. Yes, there will come a day when we die and go to heaven, but the reality is that the kingdom of heaven is already among us. We do not have to wait until we die; we are already experiencing eternal life in this very moment.
" You can experience joy in any circumstance or situation. "
God says we can experience joy in any circumstance or situation. This joy is available to us, but often we are unaware of it. It is through a lack of knowledge that we perish. Many people mistake joy for just an emotion, not realising that it is so much more. It is the fruit of the life of God living within us and stems from our relationship with Him. Romans 14:17 says: “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. This is where our strength comes from. We can’t simply “fake it till we make it,” as that approach is only sustainable for a short time. Eventually, the effort to maintain a façade will lead to burnout. You might find yourself overwhelmed, reflecting on how you ended up in such a challenging situation, feeling shipwrecked. You might find yourself asking, “How did I end up here?” The answer often lies in the fact that we have not been relying on the grace that has already been given to us.
The life of the Spirit of God already resides within our spirit. When we embrace the joy of the Lord, that joy has the power to transform our lives. You might wonder, what happens when our circumstances are truly difficult or unjoyful? Proverbs 24:10 says, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small”. This verse teaches us that a person’s resilience and spiritual strength are tested during difficult times. If one gives up, it reveals their limited inner resources. It serves as a warning to rely on God’s power rather than solely on one’s own strength when facing trials. Joy is incredibly powerful; it can overcome the enemy’s attacks. Not only is joy a source of strength, but it also serves as a weapon against the enemy’s attacks.
Understand that “if you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” When the enemy attacks you and you are defeated, it indicates that your strength is lacking. But what is your strength? Your joy is your strength. When you give up in tough times, it reflects a lack of joy. If you crumble under pressure during difficult times, it means your strength is weak, and consequently, your joy is also minimal. Conversely, if your joy is abundant, then your strength is also great. The more joy you have, the more strength you possess to overcome challenges when Satan attacks. Therefore, it is essential to be in God’s presence and maintain a vibrant relationship with the Lord, for in His presence is the fullness of joy, and the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Let’s pray:
Father, we love You, and we thank You for Your goodness. It is Your good pleasure to give us every good thing. You want us to walk in Your joy and to experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. You desire for us to be an example of what You look like in a person. You want us to have Your joy continually and to remain in Your presence. I pray for all those who are reading right now. For those who are considering what has been discussed today, I ask that You quicken these thoughts in their hearts. May they value them enough to return, take notes, and look up scriptures. Whatever they need, Lord, I pray they would find it valuable. I pray that they would begin a new path today – one that involves walking and talking with You, enjoying Your presence, and allowing Your joy to be their strength. I speak this over everyone reading right now, in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen!
