Rebecca Maisenbacher
On my first trip to Israel something happened to me. I fell in love with the people and the region. After our return home, it became very apparent I also left a part of my heart there too. From the moment I planted my feet on the soil at the Kibbutz by the Sea of Galilee, peace washed over my soul – I found myself trying to hold back tears – I felt I was “home.”
Watching the news has been challenging. The heaviness of any war can bring intercessors to their knees. The assault on any people desiring to live in peace and celebrate life is tragic. After visiting the middle east, it is evident to me that even though this is a war being fought in the natural – this is a spiritual war. In this fallen world the battle between light and darkness is ever present. I sought the Lord prayerfully regarding these events. “Lord, please help lift some of the weight of this burden I feel. Help me understand.” The next morning, I awoke to this song in my head: “This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long, this is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long.”
As I continued to listen, a vision of my mother and grandmother appeared in my mind’s eye. I was reminded of the five years of war they endured with my father overseas – WWII and Korea. How did they survive Lord? How did they endure? The loss of young men no longer working in the fields of their farming community now gone. Father, how do those affected by current events survive the pain, suffering and loss?
In a class with John Paul Jackson several years ago he said: “What you focus on, you make room for.” This statement has been like a barometer – it quietly whispers to check myself when I begin to lose His peace. Where is my focus? What are my expectations? It helps when the dreaded regrets knock at my door, or when fear tries to draw me into the “What ifs?”I was also fortunate to live with my grandmother for a time. She stayed active in her church community, with prayer and night vigils, various gatherings of believers and friends focusing on His word, encouraging one another, weeping together while also finding joyful moments of encouragement and hope. There were many mornings I passed by her Bible opened on the end table by her rocking chair. There was great comfort and a sweet fragrance of joy and peace knowing she had talked with God. “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
Recently I observed an interview from Israel. The gentleman was assigned recovery of the bodies from the recent assault. As he and the reporter stood by the now decimated home, he calmly told the reporter he retrieved over seven hundred bodies including women and children since the attacks. The stunned reporter listened intently, as this fragile-looking man spoke of entering the home and documenting the bodies. God gave him strength and directed him to honor the deceased by offering prayers and then singing and dancing beside them to honor their lives. The reporter was speechless as he declared, “You’re doing God’s work.” At that moment tears filled my eyes, and I was made keenly aware of his belief that all life is precious to God, as each created being fulfills their earthly purpose. God, in the midst of chaos and mayhem, was there with His love. I saw more clearly how in Hebrew, even inanimate objects have human emotions: “The hills clap their hands, The heavens rejoice.”
Then, I heard “Becky, they find joy in Me and My strength.” Father, what does this really mean? Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” In other words, the joy of the Lord is a source of strength that comes from Him, as we trust in His grace and goodness. It is not a feeling of happiness based on our current events or circumstances. It is the result of a deep-rooted faith that God will work all things together for good. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, oh what a foretaste of glory divine, heir of salvation, purchased of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
We Find Joy in His Strength ~
We are connected to God and loved by Him which gives us the assurance and boldness to approach Him to “find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. And the grace that He provides is enough for everything in our lives. “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9.
“To each one of us grace has been given.” Ephesians 4:7. His grace is the strength He provides for us. “So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us in His beloved Son.” Ephesians 1:6
“Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trust in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my son I praise him. The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.” Psalms 28:6-8
Our strength comes from God – who made heaven and earth. “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1.
The Strength of God is His Grace ~
“To each one of us grace (charis) has been given.” Ephesians 4:7
In the Strong’s Concordance, the definition for Charis 5485 is: Graciousness of manner or act, the divine influences upon the heart and reflection in the life: gratitude, joy literally, pleasure, benefit, favor, gift.
“Our strength comes from God – who made heaven and earth.” Psalms 121:1-2.
We Receive Joy and Strength Through Holy Spirit ~
The gift of Joy is found in the Fruit of the Spirit. “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17.
In chapter 8 of Nehemiah, the governor instructed the Hebrews regarding the feasts, along with Ezra and the Levites. The people were sorrowful and weeping that they were unable to align their behavior with the law. Seeing this Nehemiah spoke: “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep. Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
We are all far from perfect people, but as His children, we are known to Him. In Luke chapter 15, the stories about sheep, a coin and a son all end in rejoicing. God wants you to know he finds great joy in union or reunion with Him. We are made for union with Him.
We can dig down deep and be filled with joy as we draw water from the wells of salvation, Isaiah 12:3. We recover His joy. We may not understand all that has transpired, but we can be strengthened and regain joy in His love for us and we can then rejoice in His salvation – (being delivered from all forms of evil).
God Wants Your Joy to be Full ~
He is called Jehovah El Sali – the Lord is my strength; God is my rock.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11. This is a covenant scripture from a covenant God. We exchange our sorrow for His joy. His joy is in you so your life may be joy-full.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13.
“Consider it all joy (chara G5479), my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
Richard, enouraged me to also check Dr. Skip Moen’s Hebrew Word Study. In his article Hebrew Joy, June 12, 2019, (https://skipmoen.com/2019/06/hebrew-joy/), he shares that “gladness” in our English dictionary is defined as pleasure or happiness which follows the Greek western thought from Plato or Aristotle. However, he suggests: “This is not so typical in Hebrew.”
In Hebrew thought he adds: “Joy is the manifestation of divine purpose fulfilled, and since everything in creation has purpose, whenever any part of the creation acts according to its design, that part expresses and experiences śimḥâ, (seem-kha’) the Hebrew word for Joy, Gladness.”
In this life we encounter difficult, and sometimes tragic events. We live in a fallen world. There are times when our response to life is not particularly joyful. Dr. Moen continues: “Without minimizing this serious condition (sorrow, struggle, guilt), śimḥâ reminds us that any part of creation presently fulfilling its designed purpose is an expression of joy.”
Have you ever found joy and beauty in raindrops, the lilting song of a bird, watching the clouds roll across an azure sky? Maybe you have rejoiced in a beautiful flower blooming in your garden, or the celebration of the life of a loved one? These events remind us that God has built joy into every part of His creation. I like this statement from Dr. Moen: “Joy is not only communal. It is associative, creative and intentional.”
Joy is God’s gift where we can experience His comforting joy as He works to make the knowledge of Jesus a reality in our hearts. Joy matures in us as we are strengthened in our trust and faithfulness to Him. God designed joy as a fruit of His Spirit so it must be pretty important to Him. He desires for us to sense His joy in our union, reunion and communion with Him. He made us for relationship with Him!
He Strengthens Us With His Joy ~
“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17
“You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11
We Can Find His Hope In Our Suffering ~
God in His love wraps His arms around His children. His plan for you is victory and redemption through His Son who never waivers.
God has always had victory over evil – Gen. 3:14-15
Our sorrows matter to God – Psalm 56:8
He is our refuge and shelter – Proverbs 18:10
He makes our suffering or pain purposeful – Romans 5:3-5 - Tribulation brings perseverance.
Jesus and Holy Spirit intercede on our behalf – Romans 8:26-27
Any suffering we have will end in joy. Revelation 21:3
His name is Jehovah Shammah. He is there – with His people – ever present with you. In His presence is fullness of joy.
Prayer ~ Thank you Father that you have created us to live, breathe, move and have our being in You. Your name is Peace, Hope, Joy, Mercy, Grace and Love. You are also Almighty God, our Dread Champion and Captain of the Hosts. You are El Shaddai, The God of Might. Your ways are so much higher than ours. Help us to see life in all Your creation as You visit us with Your wisdom and understanding. Teach us the depth of Your ways Lord.
In His Love,
