Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
Prov. 12:25
Jehoshaphat was in a quandary; the small nation of Judah was being attacked by a coalition of nations that surrounded his. What did he do? He “set his face to seek the Lord” (2 Chronicles 20:3). Imagine a king confessing “we are powerless… we do not know what to do” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Admitting he was at the end of his resources the king resolved, “our eyes are on you.” – Jehovah, the God of Israel.
This was not just a bad situation where a godly king implored God to “do something about it.” Jehoshaphat set himself to focus on the character of God and his promises as specified in his revealed word. As a result, God sent strong encouragement and confidence to the king – so much that he lined up the choir in front of the infantry. As they marched to meet the challenge they sang, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). This king was faced with circumstances beyond his control. Instead of sulking about victimization and defeat he encouraged himself in the God who has revealed Himself and he overcame.
To the 50,000 that had returned from exile and had been gripped to tears by the words of the Law, Nehemiah and Ezra encouraged them saying, “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Nehemiah reports that the people rejoiced greatly “because they had understood the words that were declared to them” (Nehemiah 8:12).
The joy God gives from an understanding of his truth
is a place and means of safety.
That is the meaning of Nehemiah’s word “strength.”
The Scriptures abound with expressions like,
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches (Psalm 119:14)
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word (Psalm 119:16)
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart (Psalm 19:8)
Is it because these are such great pick-me-up sound bites? Or could it be that what we have in the Scriptures is not the wavering perspectives of human opinion and emotion, but the eternally enduring word of the infinite, holy, and loving God who redeems us and draws us to himself? The first Psalm affirms this truth: the one who is blessed (joyful) is the one who delights in God’s Word; it is the good word which makes one glad, and a joyful heart is good medicine. The joy of the Lord is your strength – practice this truth.
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