Taking It to Work:
Can we make the Lord smile? In Nehemiah, it says, “The Joy of the Lord is our strength.” Now the popular interpretation of what that is saying to us, is that the joy given to us by the Lord is a source of strength for us. I believe this to be one-hundred percent true, but there is also another powerful way of looking at that scripture, which I believe is just as true.
When my boys were little, I remember halfway teasing them, but doing it in a way that I would see a strength rise up in them. They would bring me something, let’s say a crayon drawing of a boat with a stick figure of us fishing. Many times I would not smile right away. I would carefully look at it, study it for a very long ten seconds or so (long to a five year old). Then when the time was right, I would slowly start to smile, shifting my eyes back and forth between him and his paper, and with that approval, that smile, you could see his little heart fill up with strength that was not there before. And knowing his work brought a smile to my face, he would fire off back to the kitchen to start another drawing, leaving with a greater confidence than he had come in with.
And in that story is the other interpretation of Neh 8:10. As children of the one, true God, through our work, we have the incredible power to make our all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal Father smile.
When we respond rightly in a situation, when we give sacrificially of ourselves, when we use the gifts He has given us to make something good, He is pleased. We have opportunity to do this each day at work. In fact, the workplace may be one of the best places to practice doing the right thing, to practice obedience, and then to experience the strength we receive in giving joy to our Lord and Father.
The joy of the Lord is our strength. Make Him smile, and feel your strength renewed, a His Word works in you, today.
Neh 8:10b (ESV) – And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Neh 8:10 (ESV) – Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink the sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalm 147:10-11 (ESV) – His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
1Thes 4:1 (ESV) – Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.
Listening to the Holy Spirit:
As a proud father of a good son, I rejoice in the righteousness of My children. By My blood you are covered, and by your obedience to My ways brings forth great pleasure. You are justified by My sacrifice given that you may live, but the sacrifice of a life of thanksgiving lifts all of Heaven. Giving to those I show you, lifting those in hurt, rejoicing with those who rejoice – in this My Spirit is present, and the Father ‘s heart also rejoices. In obedience you defeat your enemy. In obedience you bring My Kingdom. He who walks rightly, and leads his brother in holiness, walks with kings to come. Crowns of many come from the fruit of the righteous acts done by and for My Name and people. I forget not your great deeds among those I love, forgotten on earth, but eternal in the Kingdom that will have no end. Be encouraged through My joy; it is your strength unto holiness.
