The Joy of the Lord is your strength

“…the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Neh. 8:10 NKJV)

strength: the quality or state of being strong, capacity for exertion or endurance, power to resist force, power of resisting attack, energy, force, might, muscle, power, vigor.

Power, strength and might

The word strength and its derivatives are mentioned over 360 times in the Bible, applying to both natural and supernatural strength. The Greek word katei means “power, strength, might.” In the Bible, strength is often linked to God’s power.

Strength comes from God

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength . . . but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord” (Jer. 9:23–24 ESV)

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13 ESV)

No matter how strong we think we are, “the flesh is weak”

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38 ESV)

Be strong in the Lord

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Eph. 6:10)

The Lord gives His children strength to minister to others

“I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service…”. (1 Tim. 1:12 ESV)

“…whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:11 ESV)

God gives strength to face persecution

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God…” (2 Timothy 1:8)

Be strengthened by His grace

“…it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace...” (Heb. 13:9 ESV)

Therefore…

“I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.” (Psalm 34:1 NLT)

“Praise him for his mighty deeds;

praise him according to his excellent greatness!” (Psalm 150:2 ESV)

“You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.” (Psalm 59:17 NIV)