Nehemiah 8:10 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.”
May be I'm dragging this verse a little out of context, but, walking up the road in the rain today - it was tempting to merge into the glumness of the weather.
Here we are locked in for, who knows how long, and this time with no light evenings and spring weather to lift our spirits. This time being without the company of my nearest and dearest.
A dear friend messaged to say she was sorry that I was on my own! Did my bottom lip start to quiver - I thought, no! This is a plot to tug the serenity of Jesus from my possession.
How easy it would be to sink into sadness and gloom.
Something rose up in my spirit - as in the verse above:
"The joy of the Lord is my strength.." I started to say it inwardly, as Roki pulled on the lead and trod in the black muddy puddles. Again, I affirmed it: "The joy of the Lord is my strength"... on and on I recited it until a smile broke on my face and something bubbled up inside.
Later, as lots of interruptions and calls broke up the day - it was tempting to run out of patience. Returning again to this verse, I claimed it for myself.
Here are some verses I set before you like a box of "biblical chocolate chip cookies", so that you can encourage yourself in joy. Chew these over and over and, dunk them in the black coffee of your day, digest them internally, until they become a part of you, sustaining you through these dark times:
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
John 16:24
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds
1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
Looking at the last verse there, I thought, "what a miracle - without physically seeing Jesus, I absolutely love Him and believe in Him." That has a direct correlation to being filled with joy. That joy makes me strong.
Amazing!
Shake off the rain, the gloom, the mud, the dark, dank days and claim: "the joy of the Lord is my strength".
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