Text: Nehemiah 8:10
"Nehemiah said, 'Go, and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength".
Do you have many friends?
This question was posed to me this week by one of my friends. And my answer was thoughtful, and heart-felt. I replied, "I have a multitude of acquaintances, many friends, and only a handful of those with whom I can entrust anything".
And isn't this the way life is? Throughout life we encounter countless numbers of people - I probably encounter more than the average person, just given the nature of my work in the ministry. But out of all those people, few ever make it beyond the "acquaintance" stage, and of the few that do, rare are the ones that become what I call, "intimate" friends.
However, it was the topic of two completely separate conversations between myself and two of my very closest friends that spawned this devotional. You see, in the course of a single week, I have had occasion to discuss the issue of "absolute pain" not once, but twice with friends. I believe I know what it is to experience pain, and yet, I also believe that there are many others who can testify to unthinkable pains that they have encountered, and I have been spared.
This much I do know - our Lord and Saviour was well acquainted with pain, suffering, and emotional torment. And here, in Nehemiah, we find that the author, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has a word for all of us who have experienced pain, suffering, or other forms of grief.
We are told that strength can be found in Joy. This I can understand. And we are also told that joy can be found in pain... Now wait a minute... We do not usually associate grief or suffering with joy, and yet - in at least two places (Romans 5 and James 1) we are admonished to do exactly that. This only confirms the contrary nature of the Word of God the teachings of the world, which is as it should be.
We must also understand that "joy" is not the same as "happiness". Happiness is an emotion that comes and goes given the current circumstance - I have experienced things in the last few months that make me very unhappy - but I must remember to seek out, and hold tight to the joy in these circumstances.
Joy is a gift from God, and it is eternal in nature. We must experience this joy, especially in times of trouble, so that in the end, we might be perfect (translated in the Greek as being "complete"), lacking nothing. How does one discover joy, thereby developing strength? Well, I can think of at least two ways...
First, how about asking for it. The Word says we have not because we ask not. Let the one who seeks God for joy ask, and it will be given to him - I believe this with all my heart. And second, recognize it when you get it. I am firmly convinced that many people do not recognize joy, and thereby miss a blessing - because they simply are not familiar with the "fruit" that joy brings.
One such "fruit" is that of strength. When we are at our weakest, let's start praising God for all that He has done for us. Come now, surely we can find many things in which He has been glorified. It is through this recognition that God will restore to us anything that the enemy attempts to take - and we will experience the blessings of a joy-filled, strong Christian walk.
Will life be simple, and void of troubles? NO. The Word is clear - we experience trials and tribulations for the purpose of developing character and spiritual strength. But we must make every effort to discover the joy in every such situation, and then God will be glorified through us.
Now back to my friends. One will read these words here, and receive the message - I am quite sure. The other, unfortunately, may never cast eyes upon these words, and even if they did - may choose to (for lack of any better word), "wallow" in the challenges life has brought to them. Ultimately, we are the ones who must choose how we shall experience life... I, my friends, choose to listen to the words of the author of Nehemiah, and "grieve no more"!!
Copyright © 1992, 1996 Eric S. Reamer, all rights reserved