Word: Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b

Thought: What brings us joy and where does our happiness and strength come from? Is it from our worldly possessions and positions or is it from doing the will of God in our lives? Jesus was extremely happy and joyous to do the will of His father, Paul counted it all joy to do the good work God had set for him which was his strength. We feel weak when our joy comes from the things of the world, but when we consider it nothing and take upon His burden (which is light) which brings joy to Him we will be made strong through Him. Christ was able to endure difficulties in His stint on earth, before of the strength to do what was counted ‘Joy of the Lord’. Here, when the people heard they were poor in the spirit, they grieved, but it was the joy the Lord which made them strong and rejoice in the Lord. When we feel down and low and with a contrite heart come to the feet of the Lord, he is in control and when we be and do in accordance to His will (his joy), then it is counted as strength to us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to count it all joy in things which you rejoice in and we are able to bank on the good works you have in store for us, that we will be able to strong in you and be a testimony for you. Amen.