Tuesday, December 17, 2024  //  Day 17

The closing words of this verse are familiar to most Christians. Times of sorrow, uncertainty, and sadness are often met with these words of truth, encouragement, and hope. These words were offered by Nehemiah to those gathered to celebrate the completion of the rebuilt wall around Jerusalem. The happiness of this grand occasion turned somber as Ezra read the Book of the Law of Moses to the people, convicting them of their turning away from God and His promises. Nehemiah implored the people to not be grieved, but to rest in the fact that the joy of the Lord is their strength.

Too often we confuse happiness and joy. Happiness can come and go, as it did with the people gathered to celebrate. It is usually grounded in the circumstances around us. However, joy comes from a deeper place, and a Christian’s life is built around a deep and enduring relationship with the Lord. It doesn’t come from the world around us and doesn’t wain depending on our circumstances. When we find joy in the Lord, we find peace, contentment, and encouragement beyond ourselves. 

I’m fond of the acrostic that ‘joy’ gives us – Jesus, others, you. It’s a reminder that joy comes from positioning Jesus first in our lives, immersing ourselves in the Word, and striving to be a little more like Him each day. That leads us then to serving others – loving our neighbors and being His hands and feet in the world. And as a result, we’ve elevated Him while decreasing ourselves. What a wonderful model to follow as we seek joy in our lives.

As we sing ‘Joy to the World’ this holiday season, let’s be reminded of the enduring, unchanging, and life sustaining joy that the baby born in the manger, Jesus, brought us. And let us share that joy with the world around us so they may know the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!