The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

A short thought on what is the Joy of the Lord.

Nehemiah 8:10 says " Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength"

Acts 2:28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

This word 'joy' from the Greek euphrosune is rooted in its meaning - to be in a 'right mind' - for us - the mind of Christ.

Then you have this in Isaiah:

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isa 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

We see "mind" is used again. Whose mind is stayed on thee has strength.

Mind on Him = Peace
Mind on Him = Strength
His Countenance = Joy

Jesus = Peace, Strength, Joy

And the object of His joy is us.

Heb 12:2b for the joy that was set before him he endured the cross... (could it be that the joy that is spoken of here, is us? He endured the cross for us!!?)

Well, He has chosen us for His inheritance, right?

Psa 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Does He joy over us?

Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Our joy and His joy are not abstract!! They are persons. Jesus and us.

We are His joy and He is our JOY! A perfect love relationship. Selah!

The Joy of our Strength is not a WHAT but rather a WHO.

Have a blessed week in our JOY,

Pilgrim

P.S.

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

A slightly less shorter thought on the Joy of the Lord :)

Mat 25:21 His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.

We see here that the Lord invites faithful servants into “The joy of the Lord.” What is the Joy of the Lord? Well the word for joy here is the Greek word khar-ah meaning fullness. And this is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. God Himself is an encounter. A heart that has not been enraptured by love, is a heart that has not had an encounter with the Living God. Revival is encounter!

Full article...... http://scottishwarriors.wordpress.com/2010/01/29/the-joy-of-the-lord-is-my-strength/

Ah, thanks. I needed that word, fullness.

Fulness, Joy, and the Holy Spirit are deeply related in Scripture:

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. [Psalm 16.11]

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled (fullness).[John 3.29 ]

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (fullness): Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. [I Peter 1.8]