Mature believers have found the secret to overcoming. When they face life’s storms, these Christ followers come out the other side with a jubilant joy.

The Illusive Quality of Spiritual Strength

(Identifying and Utilizing Jubilant Joy)

By: Danny Von Kanel

Spiritual strength characterizes a mature believer. Some Christians have it. Most don’t. Our churches are full of people who unfortunately claim to know Christ but fail to demonstrate spiritual power.When life’s battles come, they wilt under the massive onslaught. They survive but do not overcome. They’re left standing, but stand shaking. They outlast the crisis but portray a defeated foe. They search for spiritual strength but come up empty.

Yet, mature believers have found the secret to overcoming. When they face life’s storms, theseChrist followers come out the other side with a jubilant joy ... a joy that gives strength. Thoughattacked, their face radiates. Though battered, a heavenly glow surrounds them. Though run through the mill, they emerge glowingly unscathed.What is the difference in Christians who just survive and those who flourish -- those who are a picture of strength as compared to a portrait of weakness?The answer lies in: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The great revival under Ezra the high priest began with a reading of the law. The people wept. Nehemiah and Ezra’s response soothed hearts: “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for who nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord. Neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Certain characteristics emerge as we delve deeper into chapter eight of Nehemiah. The Lord’s joy strengthened God’s people because: “... the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.” Nehemiah 8:3

Godly saints who exhibit strength are mesmerized with God’s Word. They love to hear it read, taught, and sung. They epitomize alertness to the Word. These mature giants of the faith understand the transforming power of scripture -- relishing each chance to memorize, meditate, and apply its principles. They realize as Jeremiah: “Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart ...” Jeremiah 15:16

My father-in-law, W.R. (Doc) Allen, relishes hearing God’s Word. Whether at home, church, or work, the scriptures find their place with Doc. Each night during my years of dating his daughter, scriptures were read at 10:00 P.M. as a family. Twenty three years later, things have not changed. Joy expressed in Doc’s life is indescribable. Strength he portrays bears witness to Christ. “ ... They bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.” Nehemiah 8:6

Overcoming Christians always maintain personal intimacy with God. Absence of private and public worship creates a void. This nothingness is the result of becoming detached from the sole source of power and strength -- Jesus Christ. What little personal strength is available turns into weakness.

However, all mature believers, in growing in intimacy, maintain they are always weak withoutChrist. “ ... I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:10 Such weakness is a precursor to joy -- with joy a forerunner to spiritual strength.

Christians who ignore maintaining personal intimacy with Christ tend to become prideful ... go on their own strength ... and ultimately failCharman evoked either amazement or bewilderment from people. Her personal intimacy with the Father outpaced most folk -- even me. She, like a lot of God’s people who are completely sold out to Christ, came across as somewhat a fanatic. Although, theologically I disagreed with her in areas, I admired her vivacious spirit -- her obvious understanding and experience with genuineworship. She had experienced “the joy of the Lord.” Strength followed. Never was this moreapparent than when her husband was killed and daughter mangled in a car accident. “ ... and caused them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:8

From personal experience I have found God’s giants of the faith have a deeper understanding of His Word -- brought on by genuine worship. The richer their comprehension the greater potential for joy. Combining reverence for scripture, intimacy with God, and depth of understanding, joy overflowed -- providing strength in their lives.

Related to this characteristic is the fact the “Levites caused the people to understand the law.” Nehemiah 8:7 Most strength demonstrating Christians will speak of a godly teacher who causedthem to fully grasp scripture. Strong Christians come from following strong leaders.

Both encapsulate joy. My playing catch-up concerning spiritual growth is directly related to the lack of godly teachers in my life, except Doc Allen. Though preaching and teaching the truth, their lives failed to convey joy -- failed to show spiritual strength. The authentic disciple list is a short one. Those passing muster I’ve learned from greatly. “And all the people went their way to eat and drink ... and to make great mirth ... because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.” Nehemiah 8:12

Christians with power know how to celebrate in the Lord. They shout when a new truth from scripture is understood. They rejoice over spiritual victories. After being admonished to “mourn not, nor weep” (8:9), their crying turns into joy. As the Psalmist they understand, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

Years ago on a Mission trip to Montana, I experienced a joyous celebration. After spendingyears in a church building built in the city flood zone and unknown to city dwellers, the groundbreaking was held for a new church off the interstate. As a result, months later a new facility graced the area and hearts no longer sank when floods came. No longer do people search for a facility they can’t find.Contagious joy overflowed that day. Two ladies on each side of me said, “Bro. Danny, let’s walk around our new property seven times.” We did. That night’s praise service said it all. Truly their heaviness of heart had been translated into jubilant joy.The key phrase in Nehemiah 8:12 that turned their mourning into joy is again, “They had understood the words that were declared unto them.”

Clear knowledge of God’s Word magnifies the true beauty of God’s promises, principles, and provisions, enabling God’s people to becomejoyously enraptured with Christ -- who alone gives strength.For instance, fear robs us of strength. The joyous Christian understands, ”to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” II Corinthians 5:8

Fears dissolves when this reality is learned. Also, the joyous saint recognizes ,” for me to live is Christ, to die is gain.” Phillipians 1:21. They say, “If I live, I’ll serve Christ. If I die, I’ll just go home to be with Him.” Such realities empowers God’s people to expel fear and joyously live out their faith -- never again without strength.

Our attentiveness to the Word, intimacy with God, understanding God’s precepts, and celebrating in Christ brings a jubilant joy to our hearts. This ever saturating joy will provide supernatural strength.

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