Q: Christian, Why Does Satan Want to Steal Our Joy?
A: Because without the Joy of the Lord (YHWH) we are without strength.
As it is written:
“This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10
This truth has brought me great encouragement this year.
How often do we find ourselves in a place of darkness with no sign of reprieve? How often do we find ourselves in that darkness and beginning to entertain the dark lies of Satan?
While spending some time in prayer with a brother we were discussing the encouraging truth that it is in the midst of these moments of weakness that we have strength in the Joy of the Lord (YHWH). Consider this, it is not when we are strong that we have Joy. It is the Joy of the YHWH that provides us with strength. We do not have joy and happiness because we are strong. We find joy and happiness because of who God is. Consider the words of the prophet Isaiah when he said, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).
Joy does not only follow the relief from our temporary circumstances. Rather our joy is also derived from the eternal reality of who YHWH claims to be! You see, if Satan can remove our eyes from who God is then we loss sight of who our our strength is. The Apostle Paul dealt with this same issue when he pleaded with God for relief from the thorn in his side. And the response Paul got was beautiful. “But [Jesus] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Therefore I encourage you, brother and sister in Christ, see today that the Joy of the Lord is our strength. Do not let your circumstances or Satan steal from you what is unmovable in Christ. In the midst of very real pain turn to your Savior and know that the grace of Jesus is sufficient. Know that it is in him we have Joy. Know that it is when we find our satisfaction in Him that we are strengthened.
Brother, Sister, there is gospel work that still needs to be done. Determine today that The Joy of the Lord (YHWH) is your strength. Determine today that Satan will steal your joy no more.
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