This last week my squad met up with another World Race squad when our paths crossed in Hyderabad, India. We got to share with one another about our individual journeys thus far, present on topics we had been learning about since the race began, and worship together. Over this last season of my life God has been teaching me a lot about joy.
I went to a session that one of my friends taught this past week about being a soldier for Christ. She had some good stuff to say. We talked about in Job when the Lord asks Satan where he came from and Satan responds by telling God that he has been roaming the Earth (Job 1:6-7). We got to discuss how Satan still roams the Earth today looking to oppress and distract from what God has for us. Ultimately, she ended with the armor of God, which is how we can defend ourselves and fight the enemy. In Ephesians 6:13-20, Paul describes to us this armor: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit (the Bible).
My friend’s session was a good reminder that Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy, so we must always be ready. Later that day, I went to a different session on Joy. The first verse we talked about was Nehemiah 9:10, “And Nehemiah Continued, ‘Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”
The joy of the lord is our strength. Why had I heard this verse a million times, yet it just now clicked? Strength comes from joy. When we walk in joy, we walk in strength. The armor of God is the best armor a man can put on, but armor is heavy and without strength it is difficult to wield. When we lack joy, we are more susceptible to Satan. It is his favorite time to attack because we are weak, and our armor has become too heavy for us. When we lack joy, the enemy will make us question the truth we stand on. He will attack the righteousness of our father. He will make us question our faith which has the power to move mountains. Without joy, he can get into our head giving us reason to lose passion for God’s word.
I am not saying its as simple as choosing joy. However, Jesus does tell us that if we seek we will find. So, I am saying that we can choose to seek it. We should choose to do just that… seek joy. During a worship session this past week I ended up writing a free verse poem on joy. I added it in below.
My Strength
I am the salt of the Earth.
I pray I never lose my taste.
I am the light of the World.
I pray I never hide my light.
What good is tasteless salt?
What good is hidden light?
I have the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
The joy of the Lord is my strength.
The armor of God is how I fight & defend.
What good is armor without strength to wield it.
In all things I will choose joy.
With joy my light cannot be hidden.
With joy I will never lose my taste.
With joy I can dawn the armor and fight.
