Weaponized Joy

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Nehemiah 8:9-12 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

What it is speaking to me:

Nehemiah is a book about restoration. Restoration is the idea of building something that has been torn down; in the case of that story, the walls surrounding Jerusalem and its resettlement. Today there is a sense in which when we become Christians we are restored, and in the process of being restored.

Restoration is real work. If you have ever worked to restore something broken or worn out around your home, you know that it is a lot of work. Sometimes it is even more work than just building something new. It requires time, energy, and strength.

Here is the thing: sin broke us and the devil doesn't want us restored. So he does battle with us, working to tear us down while we are in the midst of building. What is one of the ways he works to slow down our restoration? He tries to steal our joy.There are a million ways he steals it, I don't think I need to provide examples.

Why does he want to rob us of joy? Because a joyless Christian is a weakened one.

"The joy of the Lord is your strength."

A Christian with joy is powerful.

A Christian with joy works with purpose.

A Christian with joy accomplishes Kingdom work.

A Christian with joy is contagious to those around them.

A Christian with joy is a force to be reckoned with.

No wonder the devil wants to steal our joy. Without joy, we can be like the Israelites, grieving instead of building. With joy, we are armed so the work can continue. Not with our strength and weapons, but with the Lord's.

What is it saying to you?

If you feel like the work God has for you is too big right this moment, how is your joy?

What are we going to do about it?

Do one thing today that genuinely delights and refreshes you, and receive it as a gift from God.