When we say, “The joy of the Lord is my strength,” we are admitting we are insufficient without him. This is a different joy than the world experiences when there are changes depending on situations, mood, time of day, circumstance, etc.

The joy of The Lord, which is the gladness of heart comes from knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Let us know him in every aspect, in our decision making, actions, behaviors and communicate with him daily, he is the foundation of our life. Nothing happens without him.

The word abiding means continuing for a long time: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7)

We must be like a tree planted by living waters. Strength, life and growth of the tree is tied to the water; therefore, it remains focused toward the water. We, too, must maintain the joy of the Lord and remain focused toward our source, even when trials and tribulations come. 

This joy is an inward kind of joy from above. Everlasting joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). In fact, it is our Christian duty to rejoice in the Lord.

There was no joy until Jesus came into the world. We all were castaways. We needed the joy of the Lord in the world. Joy came to restore us back to the father and all of Jesus’s attributes came to us and are made available. 

If we are in him and he is in us and we are allowing his attributes to become our attributes, then the joy of the Lord is our strength today.

“If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you , and that your joy may be full.” – John 15:10-11

Written by Henry Jackson, senior vice president of Buckner Children and Family Services.

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