Today’s Encouragement is, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10b NLT
The Joy of the Lord –
Nehemiah was the governor, and he arranged for Ezra the prophet to read God’s word to the people. There was a massive gathering of all the people (v 1). When the people heard the words of the Law of Moses (they didn’t have the good news of Jesus’ grace, mercy, and love at that time), they were deeply convicted of their sin and began to weep and mourn (v9). That’s why this reads, “don’t be dejected and sad.”
We can be ‘down’ for many reasons. Perhaps the best reason is the conviction of our sinfulness. Paul exemplifies this: “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.” (Romans 7:18) He later resolves this impossible dilemma: “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 7:24-25a NLT
Whatever our reason, external realities, or internal, emotional torment… Our Strength, our hope, our answer is Jesus! He brings us the Joy of the Lord! We are forgiven, we can overcome (because He already has) and we can live in the Freedom that His Grace and His sacrifice has bought for us! We are Free because of Jesus.
Father God, help us to accept, embrace, and fully live in the freedom which Jesus has provided us. Help us to fully know – that the source of our strength – is Your Joy!
Joy of The Lord
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