The Joy of the Lord

Nehemiah 8:10 is often a misapplied verse. The context is the end of a long day of confession and repentance by the Jews who had returned to Israel to help rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. It's after all the physical labor ... and the spiritual fine-tuning that Nehemiah utters these words: "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength" (NASB).

It's the last phrase that causes the confusion. People talk about the joy of the Lord as if it is something that they manufacture inside themselves. But, Nehemiah is referring here to the joy that the Lord has for us! This is where our strength comes from ... in knowing that our Lord delights in us.

The counterpart to this in the New Testament is the story of the Prodigal Sons (Yes, plural because in the story both sons had, in effect, run away). For the wayward younger son, the joy is seen as the father - who recognized him coming home from a long way off - comes and greets him with a very culturally-unconventional run and bear-hug. It's show to the disgruntled older son when the father "goes out and begs" this truculent heir to come and enjoy what the father is enjoying.

Joy is not artificially manufactured in the life of a Christian by subtle tones or music. It is a fruit that is produced by the Holy Spirit, especially as we contemplate our Father's joy and delight in us!

1 Samuel 20-21