“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
During my time of affliction I have thought a great deal about His joy. Not so much my joy, but the Lord’s joy. That which the Lord referred to as “My joy” (John 15:11).
I have enjoyed it in four different aspects:
First of all His joy in accomplishing the work that God His Father gave Him to do here in this world when He “offered Himself without spot to God” (Hebrews 9:14). He could say, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God” (Psalm 40:8).
Secondly, His joy in returning to the Father having accomplished that work to His full satisfaction and glory. “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
Thirdly, His joy in His people. “Rejoicing in the habitable part of His earth; and My delights were with the sons of men” (Proverbs 8:31).
Fourthly, His joy in having us with Him for all eternity. “He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17).
The truth of this surely engages and enlarges the mind, the heart, and the soul, and gives us the strength and courage to press on in spite of the sorrows and afflictions of this life.
The joy of the Lord is your fortress,
Your strength and your power divine;
To know He delights in His people,
And tenderly says, “You are Mine.”