The Joy of the Lord is not found in isolation. The Joy Of the Lord is an element essential to our Christian life. Without it the Church will not survive, and we will all become discouraged and would abandon our Faith, and be in a state of constant defeat. The attainment of the Joy of the Lord is contingent to a life that is lived, consistent with the Word of God, and in perfect harmony with God's will. We see in the case of Nehemiah, clearly that the Lord had put the burden on his heart for Jerusalem and his brethren, the Jews. The question is has the Lord ever placed a burden on your heart? It may be for an unsaved person, or maybe someone in a crisis situation. It may be a cause for which you are uniquely, strategically positioned to respond to. Would you be a Nehemiah? Would you take the time to seek God, and to pray about it, and see God condition and prepare you to bring it into fruition?

The Holy Spirit impregnates; something is conceived and we are chosen to carry it for the full gestation period, until it is birthed. This is not a feminine issue, actually, speaking in ecclesiastical terms, as members of the Lord's Church, all you macho, virile men are of the feminine gender. We are the Bride of Christ. Nothing is attempted or executed until we all say like Mary responded to the Holy Spirit, "Be it unto me according to thy Word." We must understand that the Joy we speak of is not always self evident, as we may be filled with anxiety and apprehension, but as we seek the Lord, He gives that assurance and inexplicable confidence, a by-product of His Joy, which strengthens us for the task ahead.

We see Joshua brimming over with joy and excitement, as he said, (Jos. 14: 10-12) "And now, behold the Lord has kept me alive, as He said all these forty years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses, while Israel wandered in the wilderness, here 1 am today eighty-five years. As yet 1 am as strong this day as the day that Mos.!J sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day." When the Lord confirms something in your heart, in your spirit, no matter what someone else says, if even no one else agrees with you, or understands you, or pledges to support you, my brother, my sister, you won't even waste time to be disappointed, you'll just say God said it, I believe it, that settles it, I don't doubt God, He has put a peace and joy in my soul. Nehemiah, was under great opposition. (Neh. 2: 19-20) "But when Sanballat, the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem, the Arabian, heard it they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said what is this thing that you do? Will ye rebel against the King. Listen to his affirmative response, "Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. "

Remember, Nehemiah had already prayed initially (Neh. 1 :4-10) and had had his confirmation from God above, and as such not even all the forces of hell were able to deter him from his mission. You see, when we spend time in the presence of God, we are greatly Blessed. The Word tells us, In the presence of God there is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16: 10-11). God's calling is not onerous but joyous. When we serve God, it is an awesome but joyful experience. No wonder why Paul tells us in the New Testament, pray without ceasing and rejoice evermore.

Another thing we need consider is our right standing with God. In chapter (8) Ezra the Scribe opened the Book of the Lord, and read from the ordinances written by Moses. They people all wept and mourned, and repented, and corrected their wrong doings according to the Law of God. This clearly tells us that we cannot experience the Joy of the lord, outside of a right relationship with Him. The writer of the Hebrews 12:2 declares, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; 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. "

We are not to endure our salvation; we are to enjoy it. We are even told "To count it all Joy when you fall into divers temptation; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).

(Gal. 5:22) "But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance: against such there is no law. "

Do you or Don't you have Joy Of the Lord in your life Today? Let us pray that more of the fruit of the Spirit will reflect in our Christian Life day by day, to the Honour and Glory of God.

All Bible Verses:: KJV