The Joy of the Lord

UV 1030/10,000 The Joy of the Lord Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8 v 10 The Lord God does not call us to a life of mourning but one of overflowing, abundant joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength- this implies that what delights the Lord’s heart is what gives us strength. The Lord delights in the Word. He delights in righteousness. He delights in faith. He delights in our obedience. He delights in our diligence. He delights in answering our prayers. He delights in our praise and worship. He delights in thanksgiving and grateful hearts. He delights in relieving our pain and suffering, in forgiving our sins and healing our diseases. He delights in His Son Jesus. He delights in fulfilling His promises to us. He delights in vindicating us in our struggles with our enemies. He delights in our salvation. For all these reasons, we need to be glad and celebrate our lives and not mourn or be sad. When we consecrate or dedicate ourselves at the start of each day, the day will be sacred and holy in the sight of God. He will bless our food and victuals so that we enjoy it. He also tells us to share the good things that He has given us with those who have none. In our happy moments, we need to consider those who are less fortunate than us. Success, they say , is getting what you want while happiness is wanting what you get. In real life, the moment we get what we desire, it appears to be far less desirable. Success is vain and empty and happiness is like a mirage-it keeps receding the more we get close to it. But the Lord says that life is neither about success or happiness here and now but it is about enjoying our walk with Him and about fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit. Scripture says that the kingdom of God is not about feasting but about love, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is not an effervescent or transient emotion of pleasure like happiness. It is an unfading and ever growing experience of God’s grace and truth. Joy flows from deep inside our souls. Its source is the knowledge that we belong to God. Our strength comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. What He has given us from heaven and earth is our portion, our inheritance. Our joy comes from believing the Lord and His promises. Our joy comes from the victory He gives us as we lean on Him. Prateep V Philip