God’s Joy Shall Strengthen Us
Life often presents us with confusing and difficult situations that can leave us feeling hopeless, helpless, or without direction. These moments may make our struggles—be it sickness, loneliness, poverty, or fear—seem insurmountable. Yet, the joy of the Lord provides us with hope and strength. As the song by Soul Survivor reminds us:
"The joy of the Lord is my strength.
In the darkness, I'll dance; in the shadows, I'll sing,
The joy of the Lord is my strength."
This joy empowers us to rise above our challenges, enabling us to “run against a troop” and “leap over walls” as Psalm 18:29 says. God's joy fills us with the motivation, power, and inspiration we need to triumph over obstacles.
The world often urges us to focus only on what is tangible—to “be real” and rely solely on what we can see, touch, or measure. Yet, as believers, we are called to fix our eyes on what is unseen and eternal. As 2 Corinthians 4:18 reminds us, “What is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Through faith, we can look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who endured the cross with joy and now reigns victoriously (Hebrews 12:2).
Life’s difficulties are inevitable, but God has promised to deliver us from them all (Psalm 34:19). How should we respond? By choosing to lean on His strength, not our own. Our praise is a powerful weapon against the enemy. As Psalm 8:2 declares, “Through the praise of children and infants, you have established a stronghold… to silence the foe.” We can also move in faith. Let us move forward with hope, for “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
Today, let us embrace the joy of the Lord as our strength. This joy empowers us to rise above trials and to accomplish everything God calls us to do. No matter how overwhelming life may feel, we can rest in the knowledge that His strength is sufficient, His joy is enduring, and His promises are true.
“For by You, I can run against a troop, and by my God, I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29).
Psalm 18:29
New King James Version
29 For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall.
2 Corinthians 4:18
New International Version
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Hebrews 12:2
New International Version
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Psalm 34:19
New International Version
19 The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;
Psalm 8:2
New International Version
2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
Hebrews 11:1
New International Version
11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
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