1 Chronicles 16:27

Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and joy are in His place.

Nehemiah 8:10

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

JOY

These are the only two places that joy is used as a noun. Not only are both times significant in the life of the Jews, they also have absolute relevance to us today.

In (1 Chronicles 16:27) the ark is being returned to its rightful place. The ark represented the presence of God. It also affirmed Yahweh’s kingship over Israel.

In (Nehemiah 8:10) Ezra used the same word when the returned community renewed the covenant by hearing and obeying the Law.

So, here is our lesson; the joy of the Lord is available to you and me today, this very day as followers of Jesus Christ, BUT we can only have real, true, biblical joy, the very joy of the Lord when we recognize and affirm freshly this day that Christ Jesus is King over our lives and when, as a result of recognizing His Kingship and Lordship over us, we hear and obey His Word.

The result? The joy of the Lord, and His Joy will be our strength for whatever this day might bring!!