Introduction

There’s a short but powerful verse in the Old Testament that has carried me (and no doubt countless other followers of Christ) through times of struggle:

“This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

This verse has been running through my mind over the last few weeks, especially during my prayer time, so I wanted to spend some time unpacking it this week.

To begin with, let’s start with the unusual equation here—how can “joy” be strength? It sounds almost backwards. Isn’t strength about grit, determination, or even physical ability? But Nehemiah wasn’t talking about a strength that comes from us. He was talking about a strength that comes from God’s presence and joy.

What Does It Mean?

The context of Nehemiah 8 is important. God’s people had just returned from exile, and as the Book of the Law was read aloud to them, they realized how far they had drifted from God’s ways. They began to mourn. But Nehemiah reminded them not to grieve as those without hope, because their renewed relationship with God was cause for joy. And that joy—not despair—would be their source of strength.

It’s like thanking God that He doesn’t hold our failures against us but welcomes us back with joy.

It’s important to note, though, that the “joy of the Lord” isn’t about forcing ourselves to feel or act happy. I’ve actually written a few times in this blog about the difference between joy and happiness (see Stealing Back Joy and The Joy of Christmas if you’d like to explore more deeply).

Getting back to the “joy of the Lord”, it’s about resting in the assurance that God is with us, loves us, and has already secured the victory. His joy becomes our strength when we let His presence fill us, even in the middle of sorrow or challenge.

This echoes throughout the New Testament as well. Paul, writing from prison, declared:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Philippians 4:4 (NIV)

It wasn’t about circumstances—it was about God’s unchanging character.

Strength Through Christ

This connects beautifully to another verse that has carried me (and I’m sure many of us) through hard times:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Paul didn’t mean he could achieve any dream or goal. He meant that in every situation—whether in need or in plenty, in hardship or in ease—Christ was his strength. The joy of belonging to Christ gave him the resilience to endure anything.

Practical Applications

So what does it look like for us to live this out today?

• When we’re overwhelmed by reports that evil is running rampant in the world:
  Remember that our hope isn’t in circumstances improving but in God’s promises holding true. Choosing joy in Him guards our hearts from despair.
• When we face personal trials:
  Whether it’s health struggles, financial pressures, relational conflicts, or myriad other challenges, we can say: “I can’t do this on my own. But through Christ, I can.” His joy provides inner strength when our own strength runs dry.
• In our daily walk with others:
  Joy is contagious. When we carry God’s joy into our workplaces, homes, and communities, we shine His light in ways words alone cannot.
• In spiritual warfare:
  The enemy wants us to live discouraged and defeated. But choosing joy in the Lord is an act of resistance, of defiance—it declares that no matter what, we belong to Christ, and His victory is already won.

Conclusion

The joy of the Lord is not a fleeting feeling. It’s the deep, steady confidence that God is with us, loves us, and strengthens us through Christ.

So when you feel weak, lean into His joy. When you feel overwhelmed, remember His presence. When you don’t know how you’ll make it through, declare with Paul:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Because the joy of the Lord really is your strength.