Joy Of The Lord

 

There’s a joy that transcends the ordinary—a joy that is anchored deeply in God’s presence. It’s not the kind of joy that comes from fleeting pleasures or temporary successes, but a joy that springs forth from a deeper place, from our connection with the One who made us. This kind of joy is strong, unshakeable, and permanent. It’s a joy that cannot be taken from us, because it comes from a relationship with God that nothing in the world can disrupt.

David, in Psalm 16, speaks of this joy in a way that encapsulates the very essence of what it means to be in the presence of HaShem1  . He says, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11) David’s words here are far from passive. He speaks with certainty, with an assurance that comes from knowing God intimately. The Hebrew word for "fullness" in this verse is שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which isn’t just peace or well-being, but a sense of completeness. It’s as if David is saying, “In Your presence, I am whole. I am filled to the brim with joy that satisfies every part of me—mind, body, and soul.” This is not the kind of joy that fades with circumstances or trials. It’s a joy that remains, a joy that endures and sustains.

This joy isn’t just a passive feeling. It’s something that actively transforms the person experiencing it. Take a moment to think about the many psalms David wrote, many of which were penned in moments of great distress. He wasn’t sitting in a palace, with everything going his way, when he wrote these songs. No, many times David wrote in the wilderness, fleeing from enemies, experiencing great personal turmoil. Yet even in those dark moments, David found joy in the very presence of God. Joy, for David, was not dependent on his situation—it was anchored in the nearness of God.

In Psalm 30:5, David reminds us of this truth: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” David knew that joy had the power to rise above grief, to transcend hardship. It wasn’t that joy erased his pain—it was that joy, rooted in God’s faithfulness and presence, gave him the strength to endure. David’s experience can teach us that even in the darkest times, joy can come, but it comes from one place: the presence of God.

Think back to the Israelites and their journey through the wilderness. When they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), they were not just remembering their journey out of Egypt. They were actively celebrating God's presence with them in the wilderness, the joy of knowing that He was with them despite their struggles. Leviticus 23:40 tells us about the special nature of this celebration: “And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days.”

The word for “rejoice” here is שָׂמַח (samach), which implies not just a smile or a fleeting feeling, but an outward expression of joy—singing, dancing, celebrating God’s provision. The Israelites’ joy was not just about the harvest; it was about the God who had journeyed with them, the God who was present with them through their wilderness wanderings. Imagine what it must have been like to gather with your family and fellow Israelites, to wave those palm branches, to sing and dance before the Lord, acknowledging that He had brought them out of slavery and had provided for them in the desert. This joy was not tied to their circumstances, but to the fact that God was with them in every moment, whether in the midst of cloud or fire, manna or quail.

Nehemiah 8:10 provides another powerful example of joy in the Lord, especially in times of struggle. The Israelites, after returning from exile, had gathered to hear the reading of the Law of Moses. When they heard the words of the Lord, they were convicted and wept, feeling sorrow for their past disobedience. But then, Nehemiah said something profound: “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

This is a key moment for us. Nehemiah didn’t say that joy comes from ignoring your sorrow or pretending everything is okay. Instead, he pointed to the reality that the joy of the Lord becomes our strength in difficult times. The Hebrew word for “strength” here is מָעוֹז (ma’oz), meaning a place of safety or refuge. It’s the kind of strength that comes from knowing that God is with you and that His joy has the power to sustain you, even when things seem hopeless. In moments of struggle, joy in the Lord doesn’t mean we won’t feel pain—it means that we can experience a deep, unshakable peace and joy that transcends our pain, because God’s presence is the ultimate source of our strength.

In the New Testament, Yeshua continues to speak of this abiding joy. In John 15:11, He tells His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” The Greek word for “remain” here is μείνει (meinei), meaning to abide or stay in a place for a long period. Yeshua isn’t just talking about a fleeting moment of joy; He’s talking about a deep, sustained joy that comes from living in His presence. This is the same joy that David spoke of in Psalm 16—a joy that fills us to the brim and stays with us, no matter what life throws at us. This joy is rooted in love. In the verses leading up to this, Yeshua speaks about keeping His commandments and abiding in His love. He says, "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." (John 15:10). This abiding in God’s love, this deep connection with Him, is the source of the joy that Yeshua offers us. It’s not a joy that depends on external circumstances; it’s a joy that comes from being in relationship with the Creator of the universe.

We also see the early believers in the New Testament experiencing a joy that came from the presence of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 13:52, we read: “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” The Greek word for "joy" here is χαρά (chara), which is a deep, inner joy that transcends external circumstances. The early church faced persecution, imprisonment, and hardship, but the joy they experienced was a result of the presence of the Holy Spirit within them. Even in the darkest times, they knew that God was with them, and that knowledge gave them a joy that could not be taken away.

So, how can we bring this deep, abiding joy into our own lives today? The answer is simple: by seeking His presence. We can experience joy by drawing near to God, by spending time in His Word, by worshiping Him, and by allowing the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. When life feels heavy, when the world feels overwhelming, we can remember that joy comes from being with God. Just like David, we can take a moment to praise Him for His goodness, to reflect on His faithfulness, and to experience the peace that comes from His presence.

No matter what’s happening around us, His joy is available. It’s not something we have to chase. It’s something we can enter into, something we can live in. And as we do, we experience a joy that sustains us, strengthens us, and overflows into the world around us.

 "HaShem" (הַשֵּׁם) literally translates to "The Name" in Hebrew. It is a way of referring to God without using His sacred name, YHWH (Yahweh), out of reverence and respect for His holiness. The term "HaShem" is often used in Jewish tradition as a substitute for God's actual name when speaking or praying.

HaShem¹

1"HaShem" (הַשֵּׁם) literally translates to "The Name" in Hebrew. It is a way of referring to God without using His sacred name, YHWH (Yahweh), out of reverence and respect for His holiness. The term "HaShem" is often used in Jewish tradition as a substitute for God's actual name when speaking or praying.