Taking Hold of God's StrengthSample

STEP 4: Rejoice

We can have joy regardless of what is going on, and generally, if we really consider things, there is almost always something in our lives to rejoice about.

In Nehemiah chapter 8, Nehemiah is reading the Scripture to God’s people. They have fallen out of touch with God. They haven’t heard His Word in a long time, and there are people who are helping them understand what it means. As Nehemiah and those assisting him bring understanding to the people about what God requires, the people begin to weep. They realize how badly they have missed it and how far away from God they have drifted. 

In the midst of the people weeping, this is what Nehemiah says to them, in Nehemiah 8:10, 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.” 

The final step in taking hold of God’s strength is choosing to have joy and rejoice. You have to choose to rejoice. We read similar words in Habakkuk 3:17–19, Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills. 

Think about this. This is written to people living in an agricultural society. All of their sustenance, everything they depend on to meet their needs and feed their families, it is all gone. There is devastation and emptiness. Yet, Scripture tells us to rejoice in the worst of circumstances. You and I make a choice to rejoice, because joy is not dependent on circumstances. We can have joy regardless of what is going on, and generally, if we really consider things, there is almost always something in our lives to rejoice about. 

Consider Paul’s situation in the first chapter of Philippians. He is chained up in jail, and he says, “Look. There are guys out there who are preaching Christ from wrong motives. They are preaching Christ out of selfish ambition and greed, just to get something out of it.” He said, “And they are doing it just to spite me, to try to make me more miserable in my bonds.” Despite this, Paul said, “At least Christ is being preached, and in this I will rejoice.” He is saying that even though the motives may be way wrong, at least they are talking about Jesus. He found something to rejoice about. 

Right now you may have unpaid bills, wayward children, or a lingering sickness. You don’t rejoice for those things, but you can rejoice in those things. Rejoice because God has an answer, and you are not locked in. If nothing else, rejoice that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Even on your worst day, you are still headed to heaven. When we choose to rejoice, God’s strength comes. The joy of the Lord is our strength. 

Take Hold

Write down the following prayer on a note card and keep it with you this week. Whenever your joy starts to waver and negative thoughts creep in, pull out your card and pray: 

Heavenly Father, You said You meet him who rejoices, so help me choose joy. I realize that joy is not dependent on my circumstances. I can choose to rejoice because You know what I’m going through. You know how I’m feeling, and You desire to get involved. I trust You to do just as You have promised.