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For the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
Disappointment.
It often comes when we least expect it.
Hopes held high only to be crushed with an unquestionable, “No.”
Doors closing.
Prayers seemingly unanswered when we’ve waited for so long.
We’ve all been there.
There are no exceptions.
Disappointment is a shared human experience.
If we struggle to find common ground in this mad world of conflict, we can at least empathize with one another in disappointment.
When Nehemiah wrote, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength,” he was addressing the immense grief the Israelites were experiencing. After a long season of captivity, the Israelites had returned to their land and were rebuilding. The priest, Ezra, had gathered the people to hear the reading of the law. As they listened, their hearts were overwhelmed with grief. So affected by the words, they entered a time of great mourning and sorrow.
When Nehemiah observed this, he sensed that this weeping was not fitting for that time. While the Israelite’s conviction and attentiveness to the words of the law reflected a true heart of repentance, this was not the season for sadness.
There was much to celebrate! A new beginning was unfolding! This was not a time to mourn, but it was a time to rejoice. As Matthew Henry stated, “Even sorrow for sin must not grow so excessive as to hinder our joy in God and our cheerfulness in his service.” [1]
Recently, Joel and I received some disappointing news. It was nothing earth-shattering, but it hit us pretty hard. We felt that familiar heartbreak that accompanies disappointment. As I was working through my emotions over what seemed like an unexpected answer to our prayers, Nehemiah’s words to the Israelites came to mind.
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Christmas reminds us of miracles. Movies and songs, and stories of the past, might have us convinced that our Christmas miracle is right around the corner.
Sometimes Christmas gives us a Hallmark movie ending. And sometimes it does not.
Regardless of what we may unwrap throughout the holiday season, the truth that we can hold on to is that a miracle did take place over two thousand years ago. Disappointment can grip our hearts so tightly, but I pray it does not distract us from recognizing the beauty, wonder, and JOY all around us.
Joy.
It doesn’t seem possible that we can feel joy when we are trudging through disappointment. But that is the true miracle of Christmas. Joy rests where God’s Spirit abides.
Christmas reminds us that God came to the world in human form. God’s presence is still here. And the joy that He imparts to us is a joy that will carry us through every disappointment and every time of sorrow.
If your heart is feeling heavy today and you are anxiously waiting for a Christmas miracle, my prayer is that the comfort of Immanuel will embrace you, and that the joy of the Lord will strengthen you and hold you up. And even if the only gift you unwrap this year is Jesus’ presence in the midst of your disappointment, I pray that your eyes will see that this is truly the greatest gift of all.
Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before You,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
Henry Van Dyke, 1907[2]
[1] “Verses 9–12 – Matthew Henry’s Commentary – Bible Gateway.” Biblegateway.com, 2015, www.biblegateway.com/resources/matthew-henry/Neh.8.9-Neh.8.12. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.
[2] “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.” Hymnary.org, hymnary.org/text/joyful_joyful_we_adore_thee.
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