Finding Strength in Joy: A Spiritual Journey

 

Summary

Today, we explored the profound concept of joy as a foundational element in our spiritual lives and habit formation. Joy is not merely a fleeting emotion or a self-centered pursuit; it is a vital component of our relationship with God and others. We began with a poignant story from Philip Yancey's book, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" about a woman who felt alienated from the church because she associated it with judgment rather than refuge. This story challenges us to reflect on whether our faith communities are places of grace and joy, as Jesus intended.

We delved into the book of Nehemiah, where the Israelites, upon rediscovering God's law, were initially filled with sorrow due to the gap between their lives and God's expectations. However, Nehemiah urged them to celebrate with joy, emphasizing that "the joy of the Lord is our strength." This joy is not about ignoring grief or sorrow but recognizing that our relationship with God should be rooted in joy, which sustains us through life's challenges.

We also discussed the concept of habit formation, drawing insights from James Clear's "Atomic Habits." Habits are formed through a loop of cues, cravings, responses, and rewards. God designed us to run on the joy of rewards, and this principle is central to our spiritual growth. Nehemiah's instruction to associate the reading of scripture with joy and celebration illustrates how we can cultivate habits that draw us closer to God.

In practical terms, we can create small rituals that associate God's presence with joy. Whether it's lighting a candle, enjoying a cup of coffee, or praying with loved ones, these simple acts can remind us of God's goodness and love. Ultimately, while grief, sorrow, and discipline are necessary parts of life, they should be grounded in the joy of the Lord, which is our true strength.

Key Takeaways:

1. Joy as a Foundation: Joy is essential for spiritual life and habit formation. It is not about self-centered pleasure but about finding strength in God's presence. When we associate God with joy, we create a sustainable relationship with Him. [02:16]

2. The Role of Grief and Joy: While grief and confession are necessary, they should not overshadow the joy of the Lord. Nehemiah teaches us that joy is our strength, and it is crucial to balance sorrow with the joy of God's love and grace. [04:23]

3. Habit Formation and Joy: Habits are formed through cues, cravings, responses, and rewards. God designed us to seek joy in rewards, and this principle can be applied to our spiritual practices, making them more fulfilling and sustainable. [08:39]

4. Practical Joyful Practices: Simple rituals, like lighting a candle or enjoying a cup of coffee, can help us associate God's presence with joy. These small acts remind us of God's goodness and can transform our spiritual habits. [10:22]

5. Joy as Strength: The joy of the Lord is not just any joy; it is a profound sense of well-being in God's love and power. This joy is the foundation of our strength, enabling us to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience. [12:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:41] - Introduction to Joy
- [01:04] - Story of Grace and Alienation
- [02:01] - Jesus as a Refuge
- [02:41] - The Problem of Associating God with Guilt
- [03:06] - Nehemiah and Rediscovering Joy
- [03:50] - Joy in Celebration
- [04:23] - The Joy of the Lord as Strength
- [05:23] - Associating God with Joy
- [06:37] - Joy in Relationships
- [06:52] - Habit Formation and Joy
- [08:39] - The Reward System
- [09:50] - Cultivating Joyful Habits
- [10:22] - Practical Steps to Joy
- [11:42] - Joy as the Foundation of Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Joy of the Lord as Our Strength

Bible Reading:
1. Nehemiah 8:9-12
2. Psalm 16:11

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Observation Questions:

1. In Nehemiah 8:9-12, why were the Israelites initially weeping, and how did Nehemiah instruct them to respond instead? [03:34]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of associating God's presence with joy rather than grief? [02:41]

3. How does Psalm 16:11 describe the relationship between God's presence and joy? [05:55]

4. What practical examples were given in the sermon to help associate God's presence with joy? [10:22]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does it mean for the "joy of the Lord" to be our strength, and how can this concept be applied to personal challenges? [04:23]

2. How might the story of the woman in Philip Yancey's book challenge our perception of the church as a place of refuge and joy? [02:01]

3. In what ways does the habit loop described in the sermon relate to spiritual practices and the pursuit of joy? [08:39]

4. How can the balance between grief and joy, as discussed in Nehemiah 8 and 9, be applied to one's spiritual journey? [04:51]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual habits. Are there any that you associate more with obligation or guilt than with joy? How might you change this association? [05:23]

2. Consider a time when you felt alienated from a faith community. What role did joy or the lack thereof play in that experience? How can you contribute to making your community a place of refuge and joy? [02:01]

3. Identify a simple ritual you can incorporate into your daily routine to remind you of God's presence and joy. What will it be, and how will it help you? [10:22]

4. Think about a recent challenge you faced. How did the joy of the Lord provide strength, or how could it have provided strength if you had focused on it? [04:23]

5. How can you use the concept of the habit loop to cultivate a new spiritual practice that brings you joy? What will be your cue, craving, response, and reward? [08:39]

6. Reflect on a relationship in your life. How can you ensure that joy is at the foundation of this relationship, similar to the example given about Nancy? [06:09]

7. What specific steps can you take this week to balance the necessary aspects of grief and discipline with the joy of the Lord in your spiritual life? [11:42]

Devotional

Day 1: Joy as a Foundation
Joy is a profound strength found in God's presence, not a fleeting emotion. It is essential for spiritual life and habit formation, providing a sustainable relationship with God. When we associate God with joy, we find a deeper connection that transcends temporary happiness. This joy is not self-centered but rooted in the divine, offering a foundation that supports us through life's challenges. By embracing joy as a core element of our faith, we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience a more fulfilling spiritual journey. [02:16]

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

Reflection: How can you intentionally associate your daily routines with the joy of God's presence today?


Day 2: The Role of Grief and Joy
Grief and confession are necessary parts of our spiritual journey, but they should not overshadow the joy that comes from God's love and grace. Nehemiah's story reminds us that while the Israelites initially felt sorrow upon rediscovering God's law, they were encouraged to celebrate with joy. This balance between grief and joy is crucial, as it allows us to acknowledge our shortcomings while also embracing the strength that comes from God's unwavering love. By focusing on the joy of the Lord, we find resilience and hope in the face of life's difficulties. [04:23]

Psalm 30:5 (ESV): "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."

Reflection: In what ways can you balance acknowledging your grief with celebrating the joy of God's grace today?


Day 3: Habit Formation and Joy
Habits are formed through a cycle of cues, cravings, responses, and rewards. God designed us to seek joy in rewards, and this principle can be applied to our spiritual practices. By associating our spiritual habits with joy, we make them more fulfilling and sustainable. Nehemiah's instruction to celebrate the reading of scripture with joy illustrates how we can cultivate habits that draw us closer to God. By understanding the role of joy in habit formation, we can create spiritual practices that are not only disciplined but also deeply rewarding. [08:39]

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV): "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: What is one spiritual habit you can start today that incorporates joy as a reward?


Day 4: Practical Joyful Practices
Simple rituals can help us associate God's presence with joy. Whether it's lighting a candle, enjoying a cup of coffee, or praying with loved ones, these small acts remind us of God's goodness and love. By incorporating these practices into our daily lives, we create tangible reminders of the joy that comes from our relationship with God. These rituals not only enhance our spiritual habits but also transform our perception of God's presence, making it a source of joy and comfort in our everyday lives. [10:22]

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Reflection: What simple ritual can you incorporate into your day to remind you of God's joy and presence?


Day 5: Joy as Strength
The joy of the Lord is not just any joy; it is a profound sense of well-being in God's love and power. This joy is the foundation of our strength, enabling us to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience. By grounding ourselves in the joy of the Lord, we find the courage to face adversity and the peace to endure trials. This joy is a gift from God, offering us a sense of security and hope that transcends our circumstances. Embracing this joy as our strength allows us to live with confidence and purpose. [12:01]

Isaiah 12:2-3 (ESV): "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation."

Reflection: How can you draw on the joy of the Lord as your strength in a specific challenge you are facing today?

Quotes


Joy is foundational for habit formation; it is foundational for spiritual life; it is foundational for life, not just because it feels good, not in a self-centered way, in a way that I want to unpack for you and me in these moments really practically. [00:00:44]

There is an enormous problem for us if we associate thinking about God or spiritual life or scripture or goodness or faith with feeling bad. And yet many of us do. Many of us, at a very deep level, will associate the idea of the presence with God or God's will for our life as I must feel bad about myself. [00:02:29]

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food, not just food but choice food, french fries, hamburgers, pizza, Haagen-Dazs, and sweet drinks, not just drinks but sweet drinks, cola with lots and lots of sugar and wine coolers, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. Give, be generous." [00:03:52]

The joy of the Lord is strength. Now, this does not mean never mourn or never grieve. Often that will have to happen. In fact, in the very next chapter, Nehemiah chapter 9, we're told that people gather together again, and they spend one quarter of the day confessing sin. [00:04:41]

If I primarily associate God or God's word, the scriptures, or spiritual life or worship or so with feeling bad about myself, it will never be sustainable to be with God. I will not want to be with God, and I must desire to be with God. [00:05:06]

Joy is at the foundation of a relationship, and it is in habits. God made you to run on joy. And I want to explain how that's so. We're learning about habit formation and that it involves what is sometimes called a habit loop. [00:06:34]

The whole thing is built on reward. The cue is about the promise of a reward. The craving is the desire for a reward, the motivation. The behavior is to obtain a reward, and you do this from the time that you're an infant before you even have words. [00:08:35]

God made you to run on the joy of rewards, and this is so central to spiritual life that Nehemiah actually has people associate the reading of scripture with choice food and sweet drink. [00:09:06]

What are you doing to help associate God's presence with joy? And it can be very simple. Again, we're talking about very small steps. So for me, in the morning, very often when I go to spend time together with God to read scripture or to pray, I will light a candle. [00:10:00]

Grief, sorrow, confession, all these things are deeply necessary, and discipline and effort, all of these things are a fundamental part of human life and human growth. But always, always, always, gang, the foundation of them is joy. [00:11:25]

Our God is a God of joy, and when sorrow and guilt have been swallowed up in grace, joy will remain. The joy of the Lord, not just any joy, the joy of the Lord, our well-being in his love and power, that is our strength. [00:11:52]

Smile right now and remember God promises to fill you with joy at his presence. [00:11:17]

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Transcript
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