If the devil cannot take your joy, he cannot take your strength and courage either. Nehemiah points to a great truth that we should emphasize every single day:

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Neh 8:10

Joy in the Lord touches God’s heart and can help trigger answered prayers: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps 37:4)

Discouragement does not come from God. It is a spiritual force from the devil that seeks to render us powerless and apathetic. Arrest it every time it comes. When it arrives, we should begin to praise God for salvation, the cross, and God’s protection. Quote God’s promises about His blessings. This is God’s method for defeating the devil. 

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim 1:7) 

“Rejoice always.”

1 Thess 5:16. See also Phil 4:4.

Joy and strength go hand in hand. The devil knows this. Therefore, he eagerly tries to make us discouraged and apathetic, for then we are weak. The devil is a joy killer. We must learn to understand where the attack comes from and seek protection against his “wiles” by using the spiritual armor (Eph 6:11). 

When we praise God, He comes near and moves His throne over us:

“But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.”

Ps 22:3

Thank God for salvation and eternal life, thank Him for the gospel, thank Him for who He is, and for the many gifts He has given us. Do not thank and praise God only when you feel like it. King David commanded himself: 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

Ps 103:1

The king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, was once attacked by multiple nations that had allied against him. Then he did something very special: He put singers in front of the warriors as they went out to fight the enemy. As they began their rejoicing and praise, the enemy became utterly confused and attacked each other. The people could now take the spoil and thank God for victory in the Valley of Blessing. (2 Chron 20:26) The praise helped to confuse the devil and rendered him completely powerless.

Luther once said: “When you pray, the devil must go, but when you praise God, he runs away.”