The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
In the Book of Jeremiah, the Israelites were placed in Babylonian exile for 70 years, due to their disobedience to God and their unwillingness to repent. When Persian king Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, he allowed the Jews to return to their homeland. However, not all the Israelites went back, for many had acclimated to the secular ways of Babylonian life.
The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah recount the events that occurred after the Israelite remnant returned to their promised land.
Nehemiah was a high-ranking Jewish official and the appointed governor of Judah. He traveled to the capital city of Jerusalem and found it still in ruins after the Babylonians had destroyed it. He was tasked with repopulating Jerusalem and rebuilding its walls.
Ezra, a scribe and priest, and Nehemiah worked together to strengthen and renew the Jewish remnant. Nehemiah provided leadership, protection, and determination, while Ezra led a spiritual revival among the people.
In the 7th chapter of the Book of Nehemiah, we learn that the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt, although not as large or as grand as they had once been. The city was spacious, but the population was sparse, and a census was taken.
In the 8th chapter of the Book of Nehemiah, the remnant gathered in Jerusalem’s square. Ezra brought out the Law of Moses, stood before the people, and began reading from the book. The Levites, the appointed priests, were in attendance and ensured the Israelites understood what was being read to them.
“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.” (Nehemiah 8:9)
For the first time in two generations, the Word of the Lord was read aloud to the Israelites.
It was more than they could bear.
Grief was unleashed among the people as they realized the consequences of their sin; namely, that they had been separated from God for over 70 years.
Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites urged the people not to mourn, but rather be joyful; they were entering a season of feasting and preparing for the Day of Atonement.
In verse 10, Nehemiah goes on to say, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
As a parent, I take great delight in my child. My love for him does not change despite the choices he makes, although I am filled with gratitude and joy when he recognizes his mistakes and apologizes for them.
God is a joyful Father in regard to His sons and daughters. Psalm 147:11 says, “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”
While the acknowledgment and repentance of sin are the first steps in a believer’s redemption process, God does not desire for us to dwell in the grief we feel at the recognition of our wrongdoing.
Just as God did not desire for Jerusalem to remain in ruins.
God ordained for the walls of Jerusalem to be rebuilt, symbolizing Israel’s commitment to pick up the shattered pieces of the past and to keep pushing forward.
We may feel like mourning over the choices we’ve made, and we may feel unworthy to move on with our lives after seasons of rebellion, but the Scriptures encourage us to draw our strength from the joy of the Lord.
God delights in our recognition that we have been worshipping false idols. He delights in our recognition that our sinful choices have led to sadness and desolation. He delights in our longing to return to Him. He delights in our repentance and dedication to follow His perfect ways.
As we make a figurate commitment to rebuild our walls after restoration with God, may we recognize that our walls may not be as large or as grand as they once were. But slowly, little by little, we are fortifying ourselves through His grace.
May we rest in knowing that God is jubilant in witnessing our faithfulness and our progress.
May we draw strength from His joy.