The foundation of joy and strength is based on what we know and believe

“…the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10)! Joy during struggles, when life is pressing hard against us? Yes, the joy of the Lord is your strength! This is dependent upon what we know. What has God told us that would result in such joy, causing a strengthening in our lives?

The foundation of this joy and strength is knowing God loves us without condition, a love that is unchanging and not dependent on our actions. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:35)! No sin, no ugliness on our part, has any impact on God’s desire to love us. He proved this! When humanity had the worst behavior, constantly grumbling, complaining, and sinning, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for us (John 3:16). Humanity was in no condition to receive such a gift. Yet, God considered us His joy, and Jesus confirmed the Father’s desire for us by suffering a horrific death (Hebrews 12:2), because He wanted a relationship with us.

The foundation of this joy is knowing that during trouble, we have the Mighty One defending us! Again, our behavior doesn’t change God’s position and desire to provide this benefit. This is grace, unchanging grace! God is our Rescuer; "He rescued me because He delighted in me" (2 Samuel 22:17-20). And if God is for us, who or what could be against us (Romans 8:31)? It is God that battles and fights for us (Deuteronomy 20:3,4; 2 Chronicles 20:15). One of the names of the Lord is Jehovah Nissi, The Lord is my Banner (Exodus 17:15,16). God our Banner means that He is our Source, our protection, our victory, and our hope. It is by Him, by His intervention, that we overcome every adversity, not by our self-effort. Once we strive in self-effort, this is when we experience defeat, frustration, fear, anxiety, hopelessness, and depression. When all the while, our Defender is waiting on the sidelines to intervene on our behalf. As our Banner over us, God expresses His presence as a shield, a shield of favor, a shield from attack (Psalm 5:12; Psalm 60:4 Amp). He will “make us as secure as a fortified wall of bronze” (Jeremiah 15:20). And His banner over us is love (Song of Solomon 2:4). We are covered by the Lord! We should not give in to the temptation to be distracted away from Jesus, to become anxious and frustrated, behaviors that empower a defeated enemy who wants to steal our blessing (Hebrews 12:2; John 10:10).

When you think about a banner, it is lifted up, high, to signal people or alert them to something that is happening. Since God is our Banner, He is signaling that we belong to Him; He is our place of refuge. God, as our Banner, is identifying us as belonging to Him. Belonging to Him, we have the benefit of His full love, full power, full provision, and victory! God is trying to grab our attention to look at Him, look at Who He is, and what He has provided; look at His might, ability, and power! This is Who is defending us during suffering and trial. “Look at Me,” God is saying, “I am your Source”! God as our Banner is the sign, signal, and show of force that we are cared for, protected, and loved. God as our Banner should be a rally cry; we see Him, hear Him, and respond, enjoying His benefits to us through Jesus.

When we are in the midst of a battle, trouble, or hardship of any kind, God is asking us to look to Him. He is the Greater One, reliable and trustworthy. He is asking us to believe Who He is, and receive His favor. God is the One Who takes hold of us and raises us above the storm that is threatening us; He wants us to walk on top of the storm in His strength. And knowing these truths should cause us great joy as we believe and therefore experience His glory!