Neh 8:10. We have heard this quoted many times in different songs and sermons. Yet I wonder how many times we really think about this word from the Lord. Do we understand what this means to us today?

Matthew Henry explains that there are times for joy and times for mourning. The joy of the Lord is not a casual, hyped-up, carnal joy. It is holy, spiritual and for a purpose.

First, for service to the Lord. The more cheerful we are in our works of the Spirit, the more we shall abound in them.

Second, to encourage us in obedience to God’s word. It is the oil in our gears, to keep us excited and vibrant in our walk with God.

Thirdly, for the resisting of the enemy. His joy abides in us and literally becomes a strength against the forces of Hell.

This holy joy takes away the taste for carnal devices, which can place our souls into captivity. This joy is an energy force placed within our spirit-man by the Holy Ghost. It gives us the ability to maintain our praise, maintain our faith and maintain a right perspective, regardless of natural circumstances.

So how do we get the joy of the Lord? It is a gift from the Holy Spirit. It comes from the revelation of the word and the promises of God. It comes from dwelling in His presence. Isa 61:10 says, "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…"