“…the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:9, NIV)
We’ve all witnessed a lack of joy. It’s not a pretty sight.
A week ago, Web.com Tour player Rhein Gibson had a late-round falling out with his caddie, Brandon Davis. Because Gibson was in contention and it was the closing hole of the tournament, everything found its way on to TV and the internet.
Gibson fired Davis in a huff over a penalty incurred by the caddie. Turns out it shouldn’t have been a penalty at all. Apologies and explanations followed via social media, but so did the public bitterness toward Gibson, who had also chucked a head cover at Davis. When it comes to the viral nature of technology, one nasty turn deserves another and another and another…
Let’s just say, pretty much no one was happy.
How about you? When does anxiety or frustration or misunderstanding or anger butt in to steal your joy?
In the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, the priest Ezra read the Book of the Law (Moses’ record of God commands) to the people, who had not heard it for many years. The exposure of their impure lives brought the people to weeping, as the picture of how they should have been living was presented to them line by line. It was the very definition of sobering.
Into that moment, Nehemiah the governor offered important words: “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep… Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
This seems strange. Aren’t we meant to be a contrite people, burdened by the weight of our sin before the perfection of God? Certainly, our repentance begins there, with an understanding of the seriousness of our sin. And this is what the people expressed through their tears.
But Nehemiah understood salvation. He knew that God would forgive his people of their ignorance and even of their sin. These people were humble, and now God was here to lift them up again.
The idea of the joy of the LORD being our strength is frequently counterintuitive. We most need strength when we are weakened by our sin, our sadness, or our sense of incapacity. These are not moments we would say joy is in play.
Oh, but it is for those who recognize salvation, for those who see the Savior! When Jesus fills our view, the circumstances shrink and his glory increases before us. Our tears become praise, and our praise brings joy. In that, we will always find strength.
—
Jeff Hopper
January 31, 2018
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.