PROMISE #196 - JULY 15

". . . for the joy of the LORD is your strength." ~Nehemiah 8:10

In this passage of Scripture Israel had gathered to hear the Word of the Lord. It was a time of intensity, it seems, and in such a solemn assembly people were weeping. They may have been surprised to hear the Lord tell them not to be sad, but to depend upon the joy of the Lord to be their true strength.

The word "strength" in Hebrew is a fortified place, a fort, a rock or a stronghold. Think about it...the joy of the Lord is your personal fortress! When you are sad, run into the stronghold of the joy of the Lord where you will find your strength.

The fact is, God is full of joy! Joy is one of the pieces of the fruit of the Spirit. The kingdom of God is described as righteousness, peace and joy. Jesus said He came so that our joy might be full. Psalm 16:11 says there is fullness of joy in his presence!

In this world that is always shaking, the joy of the Lord stands as our stronghold that cannot be shaken. So whatever we face, we can run to our Heavenly Father. God’s joy over us is always a safe place.

​Prayer:

Father, I thank You that Your joy over me will strengthen me to face whatever comes my way today. I pray that I will not depend on my fickle human emotions, but that I might lean into the joy of your beloved Son, which is my birthright and is given to me by your indwelling Holy Spirit.

I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.