Day 7 - 40 Days of JOY
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of JOY
Day 7| THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH
40 Days of JOY
Day 7| THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH
Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’” (NKJV)
I am sometimes asked, “How does that work?” “What do I have to do to make ‘the JOY of the LORD is my strength’ real to me?” I don’t feel anything?”
That’s honest.
The joy of the Lord comes in part from the firm, unshakeable conviction that God loves me, is for 100% for me, and is working everything for my good. In the unbendable belief that God is my Father and that he loves me more deeply that I could imagine. And in the rock-solid belief that God is with me, even as I walk through fiery trials and deep waters.
Is there something you CAN do to experience that joy?
Consider your spouse or perhaps a very close friend. Why are you so close? I’ll bet it’s because you spend TIME with him or her.
So, learn to do the same with the LORD. Make time to spend with Jesus. In prayer. In reading His Word. In meditating on His character. In gratitude for what He’s done. In thanks for the blessings He’s given you.
You see, we are naturally ungrateful people – and yet there are plenty of opportunities to turn that around and position yourself for an infusion of JOY! But, it won’t happen by itself and may need some purposeful change on your part. Ask God for help!
Prayer: LORD, I do want my JOY in You to be my strength! Forgive me for NOT spending enough quality time with You. Help me to make my time with You a priority! Amen.
Nehemiah 8:10
“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’” (NKJV)
I am sometimes asked, “How does that work?” “What do I have to do to make ‘the JOY of the LORD is my strength’ real to me?” I don’t feel anything?”
That’s honest.
The joy of the Lord comes in part from the firm, unshakeable conviction that God loves me, is for 100% for me, and is working everything for my good. In the unbendable belief that God is my Father and that he loves me more deeply that I could imagine. And in the rock-solid belief that God is with me, even as I walk through fiery trials and deep waters.
Is there something you CAN do to experience that joy?
Consider your spouse or perhaps a very close friend. Why are you so close? I’ll bet it’s because you spend TIME with him or her.
So, learn to do the same with the LORD. Make time to spend with Jesus. In prayer. In reading His Word. In meditating on His character. In gratitude for what He’s done. In thanks for the blessings He’s given you.
You see, we are naturally ungrateful people – and yet there are plenty of opportunities to turn that around and position yourself for an infusion of JOY! But, it won’t happen by itself and may need some purposeful change on your part. Ask God for help!
Prayer: LORD, I do want my JOY in You to be my strength! Forgive me for NOT spending enough quality time with You. Help me to make my time with You a priority! Amen.