Matt Richards
More Joy..More Strength..
Nehemiah 8:10 Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold
The joy of the Lord is our strength. It's easy to be overwhelmed with the troubles and evil of this world. It's easy to even be grieved at where we are as a country or where we are personally with God (and our failings).
As the law was read out by Ezra and they heard all the things they were doing wrong, the people wept. But the command went out to stop grieving, stop being depressed about it for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
In a world of sloppy grace I am for repentence and holiness. In this passage however, they truly repented on day twenty four.
There's times in God's mercy that He let's you experience joy & blessing in order to get you to day twenty four where you are strong enough to confess and repent.
We need the joy of the Lord. Not a fleshly joy or an earthly joy, but the joy of the Lord.
The world might see joy as a sign of weakness, the religious might see joy as disrespectful; but the joy of the Lord is a Holy thing it's my strength, it's my fortress, it's my defence.
No Joy No Strength. More Joy More Strength.
In the roller coaster of life choose joy today.
Live on the front row.
Prayer:
Father thank You for Your grace and mercy towards me. Thank You that You don't show me all my failings all at once or I'd be totally depressed. Thank You for Your Holy joy that strengthens me and is my defence. Release more joy on my life today in Jesus' Name Amen.
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