HOW IS THE JOY OF THE LORD YOUR STRENGTH?

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THE JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH

“…Now THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH…” (NEHEMIAH 8:10 KJV).  

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 Hopefully we have learned that JOY is God-given gladness, merriment, exultation, well-being, great delight, cheerfulness, excitement, happiness, rejoicing, or laughter OVER the GREAT things God has DONE. “…Rejoice and be glad, For the LORD has done great things…” (Joel 2:21 NASB).

People experience many of the above emotions when they hear the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel on Sunday mornings. “… [The]…good news that will cause great JOY for all the people…” (Luke 2:10 NIV). “…The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

This response is called “the JOY of the Lord” which stems from the heart and comes from knowing, understanding, and being aware of, “… the … [great things] … LORD has done …” (Joel 2:21 NASB).. “…The JOY of your salvation…” (Psalms 51:12 NIV).

“…And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly REJOICE with JOY inexpressible …” (1 Peter 1:8 NASB).

STRENGTH stems from God-given JOY. God-given JOY is indwelling, supernatural POWER. “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).   “….Look, GOD IS ALL-POWERFUL  …” (Job 36:22-33 NLT). “… There is NONE like unto thee, O LORD; thou art GREAT, and thy name is great in might.…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “… POWER belongeth unto God...” (Psalms 62:11 NIV).  “…There is NO POWER but of God: THE POWERS that be are ordained of God…” (Romans 13:1 KJV). “….[God]…changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings…” (Daniel 2:21 KJV).

“…In order that the living may know That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes …” (Daniel 4:17 NASB). “…Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above…” (John 19:22 NIV).

 “…The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein…” (Psalm 24:1 KJV). “…for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof…” (Psalm 50:12 KJV). “…all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine…” (1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV). Therefore, ALL “…POWER belongeth unto God...” (Psalms 62:11 NIV).

SINCE “JOY” comes from ABIDING in the UNION with God through Christ, then your “STRENGTH” “IS” the Lord’s indwelling JOY, which FILLS you. “… That  … “my joy” might remain in you….” (John 11:15 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (God’s JOY) IS IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you,…” (Colossians 1:27 KJV).

Strength, therefore, comes from the JOY, who is Jesus, himself. You are STRONG because: “… [He will]…strengthened … [you] …with MIGHT by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV).  ^“…God… works IN [you]… to will and to act …” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). ^“…God …EQUIP[s] … [YOU] with everything good for doing his will, and … work]s] … IN [you]…  what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ,” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [He]… IS “ABLE” to do exceeding abundantly above all that [you]… ask or think, according to the POWER that worketh IN [YOU]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…HE WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN [YOU] “WILL” “PERFORM” IT “UNTIL” the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). “….Apart from Me (Jesus) ..[YOU could]… do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). However,“…[YOU]…can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth …[YOU]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…He gives POWER to the weak and strength to the POWERless.…” (Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT). “….GOD …GIVETH strength and POWER UNTO HIS PEOPLE…” (Psalms 68:35 KJV).  

“….The JOY of the Lord is your strength…” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV). “…I have told you this so that my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete…” (John 15:11 NIV). “…Jesus Christ (God’s JOY) IS IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “….The JOY of the Lord is your strength…” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV). “… [He]… [strengthens] … [you] …with MIGHT by his Spirit (Jesus, God’s JOY) in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV).

No matter what YOU face in life, REJOICE, by being content, restful and confidently relying on the indwelling JOY. “…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). God will “…Never leave nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever…” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

The SECRET of your STRENGTH is within YOU always. “… HIS SECRET is with the righteous…” (PROVERBS 3:32).

God PROMISED:  “….I will give thee … HIDDEN RICHES of SECRET PLACES…” (ISAIAH 45:3). God has “… [MADE] KNOWN… [TO YOU]...the RICHES of the glory … which is Christ IN YOU…” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…Jesus Christ IS IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…THE SECRET of the Lord is with [YOU]…” (PROVERBS 25:14) “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV).

Therefore, Paul said: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).

“…I have learned the secret …” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).  “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me….” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…THE SECRET of the Lord is with them that fear him…” (PROVERBS 25:14). “….The JOY of the Lord is your strength…” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).

Whether you are weak or strong, the indwelling Spirit of JOY supernaturally and amazingly increases the NECESSARY strength befitting for a child of God. “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “….Jesus Christ maketh thee WHOLE…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). Therefore, “…delight in weaknesses … For when [you are] … weak, then [are you] … strong … [God’s] … power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV).   “… The God of peace, … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] you with everything good for doing his will, and …work[s] in [you]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

It is NORMAL to grow tire and weary on the Christian journey, but feelings of fatigue, sadness, grief, deep sorrows, weakness, or reasonable doubts doesn’t STOP God’s indwelling SUPPORT. God’s “…grace [becomes] … sufficient for [you]…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “…[He is] .. with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…Take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when … [you are] … weak, then .. [are you] … strong..” (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV).

 “…Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we DO NOT GIVE UP…” (Galatians 6:9 NIV). God says: “… [I will] … never leave nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

“…Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the JOY awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).  Therefore, “… they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31 KJV). “…DO NOT GIVE UP…” (Galatians 6:9 NIV).

“…THE SECRET of the Lord is with [YOU]…” (PROVERBS 25:14) “…[You] … have learned the secret …” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). “…Jesus Christ (God’s JOY) IS IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).  “…[You] … can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth …[you]….” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “….The JOY of the Lord is your strength…” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).

He is your STRENGTH, your REFUGE. …He alone is my refuge, my place of safety…For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.  He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. … If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,  no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. …The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name…” (Psalms 91 NLT).

God is your STRONG TOWER. “…The name of the Lord is a strong tower (REFUGE); The righteous runs into it and is safe…” (Proverbs 18:10 NASB). “…God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble…” (Psalms 46:1 NASB).

God is eternally STRONG and POWERFUL and in turn will strengthen the believer. ^“…It is God who works in [the weak]… to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). God causes them“…to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). THE WEAK “…can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth  … [THEM]….” (Philippians 4:13 KJV. “….Apart from [jesus], [the weak]… can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…Now may the God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip … [the weak]… with everything good for doing his will, and may he work IN [the weak]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…according to the POWER that worketh IN [the weak]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…HE WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN [the weak]… “WILL” “PERFORM” IT “UNTIL” the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6 KJV).

On the Christian journey God allows plenty of opportunities for the believer to cry for HELP and SUPPORT and STRENGTH and COMFORT.  “…So that … [they] … will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which … [they themselves] … are comforted by [God and people God sends their way]…” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NASB).

 Some believers do NOT want to be dependent on anyone for strength, not even God. “From within, out of the heart … proceed evil thoughts… pride...  All these evil things come from within...” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). “… Everything in the world—the pride of life—comes NOT from the Father but from the world…” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT). “…The wicked, THROUGH THE PRIDE of his countenance, WILL NOT SEEK AFTER GOD: God is not in all his thoughts…” (Psalms 10:4 KJV).

God has ALWAYS warned his people against the pitfalls of pride. “…A man’s [or woman's] …pride shall bring [them] low…” (Proverbs 29:23 KJV).  “…Pride [goeth] before destruction…” (Proverbs 16:18 KJV). “…if a man [or woman] …think [themselves] …to be something, when [they are]… nothing … [they] ... deceiveth [themselves]…” (Galatians 6:3 KJV). “…Let another [person].. praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips…” (Proverbs 27:2 KJV). “…Seest thou a man [or woman] …wise in [their]… own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of [them]…” (Proverbs 26:12 KJV). “…Those who walk in pride [God]… is able to humble…” (Daniel 4 NIV).

In order to accept God’s strength, when needed, a man or woman voluntarily chooses to “humble themselves.” “HUMBLE YOURSELVES in the sight of the Lord…” (James 4:10 KJV). “…HUMBLE YOURSELVES therefore under the mighty hand of God…” (1 Peter 5:6 KJV). “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5 KJV). “…I am gentle and HUMBLE IN HEART…” (Matthew 11:29 NIV).

The believer can CHOOSE to RELY on God’s indwelling STRENGTH at ANY times. “…God is able to make all GRACE abound toward [the WEAK]; that [he or she will]… always having all sufficiency in all things…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).

 “…[They]… can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [them]….” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…Apart from [Jesus, they] can do nothing….” (John 15:5 KJV). “…God will supply all [the strength they need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB) AND  “…The LORD will [take care of]…that which concerns [them]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “….[God] careth for [them]… (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).

 “…[God’s] grace is sufficient for you, for [his] power is made perfect in weakness. …” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).

TRULY “…The LORD has done great things for us …” (Psalms 126:3 NIV). “…Rejoice and be glad, For the LORD has done great things…” (Joel 2:21 NASB).

“… When I am weak, then am I strong...” (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV). God’s “…grace [IS] … sufficient for [YOU]…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). “… That  …”my joy” might remain in you….” (John 11:15 KJV). “…Jesus Christ IS IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

“….The JOY of the Lord is your strength…” (Nehemiah 8:10 KJV).