Reflection #2 on 'Holy Is the Lord' by Chris Tomlin

We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength

What is your source of strength? In the song "Holy is the Lord," Chris Tomlin sings that our strength is found in the joy of the Lord. Chris wasn't the first to say this. A prophet from the Bible named Nehemiah said the same thing over three thousand years ago.

"Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength'" (Nehemiah 8:10, NIV).

The people had stood all day and listened to the reading of the Law, the commands of the Lord. Have you ever heard someone preach from the Bible and felt a twinge of guilt in your heart? That is the conviction of the Holy Spirit. When we hear someone preach what is right, we see where we have been wrong. It is like seeing a bright light after you've been in the dark. It hurts!

How do you respond? Well, many times in the past I have tried to make excuses. Lord, I whined, this is too hard for me. But the correct response is, OK, I repent. I will change because You are always right, Lord.

And when we react that way, it gives the Lord great joy. God gave us His commands--found in His Word--because He is smarter than we are and He knows what is good for us. He knows that if we follow His way of doing things, we will live a more peaceful life, a happier life. So when we make a change to follow Him, it makes Him happy. And following ways that make Him happy are ways that will end up making us strong.

So, the next time you hear something from the Bible that sets off that spark of conviction inside you, rejoice--don't grieve. Repent; change your mind and your ways, and then walk in the knowledge that God is rejoicing over you today. Think of Him smiling down at you and let that thought give you strength.

-Suzy C.

Scripture Reference: Nehemiah 8:10