Just a wee bit of background: The people of Jerusalem were exiles who had returned to rebuild their beloved but shattered capital city that had been decimated decades earlier by the conquering Babylonians. Remarkably, now Jerusalem's people had not only rebuilt the temple, but they had finished rebuilding the city's ruined walls which were essential for protection from their enemies.
As they celebrated the completion of the walls' reconstruction, the people listened to a reading of God's Word...which led to great conviction and mourning over their sins, for the people recognized how terribly far they had strayed from God and disobeyed His life-giving Word.
But in this verse, Nehemiah encourages them that God's Word brings both conviction and yet also offers forgiveness, grace, life. The Word reminds us where our forgiveness can be found as well as the Source of our joy and hope.
I love that phrase--"the joy of the Lord is your strength." For those exiles, the Lord was their joy and strength. He was the One who brought them back to Jerusalem. He was the One who enabled them to rebuild the city's walls. And He was the One who would be their hope and stay in all the years ahead.
I had to ask myself, what's my strength? What's your strength? Seriously, what's the source of your inner strength, your peace, your hope? Because this is a reminder that only in Christ is there a spring of endless power, peace, love, and joy. He is our strength for He is our joy...and in Him our heart's hunger finds complete satisfaction. As Augustine said, "You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You."
This month of November when we consciously remember and choose gratitude, let's begin with the greatest of all gifts--the Lord Jesus. No matter what might be going on in your life right now, if Jesus is your Savior, then you have an infinite fountain of forgiveness, grace, joy and Life in Him.
The joy of the Lord is your strength this day and everyday. Not your bank account. Not your successes. Not your home. Not your appearance. Not your relationships. Not your health. Jesus is your indomitable joy and your indefatigable strength. And no disease, no defeat, no disappointment, no nothing can ever separate you from His love nor overcome His supernatural joy, strength, and grace.
So today, choose joy...because the joy of the Lord is your strength. He's your never, never, never, never failing Source! Hallelujah!
To God be the glory.
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