Strong

Joshua 1:9 NKJV — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

These words were to Joshua as he was leading the Children of Israel into the Promised Land.

It’s not a suggestion, God gave a command.

God’s command to Joshua can still be applied to us today, we need to obey the Lord completely and to be strong and courageous in that obedience.

Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV — 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.”

Here we see the Children of Israel grieving over their sins.

But it was a holy day unto the Lord, thus the call was to celebrate, not because they were ignoring their sins, but because God was greater.

That is why they could celebrate and find strength in the joy of the Lord.

Nahum 1:7 KJV — The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

It’s not our ability or inability which brings us strength or security, it’s understanding God is truly the only Refuge and in Him we are saved.

Proverbs 14:26 KJV — In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

It is when we place our trust in Him and honor God that we can find strength and confidence in His faithfulness.

It’s not easy to lay aside our own ideas of refuge, security, and how to be strong, but it’s the only true way.

Any other “strength” will rot out from under us when we need it the most.

But when we find our strength in the Lord, there is true refuge.

Ephesians 6:10 KJV — Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV — Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

For these are the things we can do in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. I feel so unable to truly express the strength and security of walking with You in all things. Lord, I do not want to lean on anything but You. Please continue to expound to my heart and mind what it means to walk in Your strength, to find the joy of the Lord is my strength! Thank You for Your wonderous ways and Your incredible truth. Thank You for Your love and faithfulness. I praise Your holy name!! Amen.

Joy

Then David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy. I Chronicles 15:16 NKJV

King David had made a mistake.

He hasn’t consulted the Lord on the proper way to move the ark of the covenant.

However, he learned from his error and this verse is only one part of the preparation he made to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem.

This move was definitely one of great joy for King David.

So David, the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of Obed-Edom with joy.
I Chronicles 15:25 NKJV

On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord :
I Chronicles 16:7 NKJV

The psalm is the beginning of Psalm 105:

Oh, give thanks to the Lord ! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Psalms 105:1 NKJV

King David didn’t allow his mistake to hinder him from setting it right nor did he retire from seeking God, from worshipping Him and through this he had joy.

In Nehemiah 8 the priest Ezra stands before all the people, reads the book of the law and the people sorrow.

So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. 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.
Nehemiah 8:8-9 NKJV

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.
Nehemiah 8:10-‬12 NKJV

Although the people were grieved by the book of the law, they rejoiced greatly.

Can we not relate?

How easy it is to error, to fall into sin, to transgress the law of God, and yet these are our examples.

We should acknowledge our sin, turn away from it, and seek the Lord.

For the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:10‭-‬11 NKJV

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus , for He will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21 NKJV

Joy is from God.

We can and should rejoice in our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Because the joy of the Lord is what strengthens us to repent when we fail as well as endure the trials and tribulations.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
James 1:2‭-‬4 NKJV

Like King David we can say:

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord !
Psalms 105:2‭-‬3 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your joy! How great and mighty is Your name and Your Word. Lord, Your Word brings such hope. In the seasons of trials or the times when sin has overtaken, the answers are all in Your Word. Lord, please continue to help us learn what strength there is in Your joy. Let us find the treasure of praise. Please continue to shine Your truths into our hearts and minds. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.