Christian Writers Circle

By Brenda D. Flowers

Several weeks ago, I found myself humming the melody of the song, “The Joy of the Lord.” It is a song I sang many years ago when I volunteered at Children’s Church. I was a young mother at the time and the chorus was fun to sing with my own children. After some on-line research, I located the version of the song I remembered. If you have an interest, see www.PraiseInMotion.net.

Instead of singing “The Joy of the Lord” from the phrase in Nehemiah 8:10, I found myself singing a new verse:  “The glory of the Lord is my strength.” I am excited to share what I learned from the Scriptures related to this new song, a message of warning and hope.

In 1 Samuel, I discovered the LORD lifted His glory from Israel when the high priest, Eli, refused to deal with sin in God’s house. At this time, God judged Israel, disciplining them for not seeking Him and His ways. They lost their strength because God’s glory had been removed. God allowed the Israelites to be defeated by the Philistines and the ark of God was captured. Eli’s two sons were killed in the battle. When Eli heard the ark of God had been captured, he fell off his seat backward and died of a broken neck. Eli’s daughter-in-law went into premature labor when she heard the news of the death of her husband, father-in-law and that the ark had been stolen. Even in the agony of dying in childbirth, she realized the judgment of God as she named her son Ichabod, stating “The glory has departed from Israel!” (1Samuel 4: 21a, NKJV)

During this period of history, disrespect for God and His ways permeated the culture, much like we see today. People were unaware then as today of their need to repent from their ways to seek God and follow His ways.

This sad time in Israel’s history can be contrasted to the joyous time when King David had the ark of the LORD brought back to Jerusalem. David learned the importance of recognizing God’s holiness and majesty. Even in the face of criticism, David willingly humbled himself by offering sacrifices to God and by dancing before the LORD, wearing only a linen ephod. (2 Samuel 6: 12-23)

After the ark was returned, the LORD gave David rest from all his enemies (2 Samuel 7: 1). David longed to build God a house where the ark could dwell, made of cedar, the finest material for construction in that day. David realized a tent was not a worthy lodging place for God’s ark in Jerusalem. The LORD spoke to David through the prophet Nathan reminding him of His Sovereignty. God promised He would make the house and He revealed His plan:

          When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers,
           I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body,
           And I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name,
           And I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father,
           and he shall be My son.  (2 Samuel 7: 12-14a, NKJV)

I wonder how many of us have grasped the deeper meaning of these words. God promised to build a physical house through David’s line but more importantly He promised to build an eternal kingdom. Both of these promises have been fulfilled! Solomon, David’s son and first heir to the throne, built the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus Christ, son of David, built and is building the heavenly kingdom! As sons and daughters of the King of kings, we are part of His eternal kingdom. We can reign in life as we know we are His beloved and as we trust Jesus as Savior and Lord, not trusting in man’s ways.

David’s words, where he received his strength:

           But You, O LORD, are a shield for me,
           My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
           I cried to the LORD with my voice,
           And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah   (Psalm 3: 3-4, NKJV)

The glory of the LORD, His precious presence, is where we gain our strength. We can trust God to fulfill all of His promises to us.

Prayer: LORD, thank you for teaching us Your ways to heed Your warnings, repent and walk in Your ways. May Your glory be our strength and joy. Amen