Joy of the Lord.

 Joy of the Lord

A Reflection on Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 16:11, and John 15:11

The joy of the Lord—not a fleeting, fragile smile,

But a deep, abiding fountain that flows through every trial.

It is not happiness dependent on the day’s events,

But the steady, settled strength that heaven’s presence lends.

The joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

This joy does not ignore the pain or hide the bitter tear.

It walks beside us in the fire and whispers, “I am here.”

It is the oil of gladness for the heavy, grieving heart,

The calm assurance that we never are apart.

It rises in the morning, not because the sky is bright,

But because the God of mercy greets us with His light.

It sings in the midnight hour, when sleep refuses rest,

Because the One who watches over us is always blessed.

You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy. (Psalm 16:11)

The joy of the Lord—not a feeling we must fake,

But a fruit of the Spirit that no trial can take.

It is the unshakable confidence that He is working all for good,

The gladness that our Savior has already understood.

So I will not let circumstances steal this gift so free.

I will rejoice in the Lord always—again I say, rejoice!

For the joy of the Lord is my strength and my song,

And in His joy, my spirit will stay strong.

“I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

Amen.