The Joy of the Lord
“The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength”
Once we have repented and God has forgiven us for our sins, mistakes, and missteps, He does not want us to grovel in our sinful past. But rather, He wants us to rejoice in that our strength has been renewed. The Word of the Lord says it this way:
- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9, NKJV)
- And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28, NKJV)
- Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:12-14, CSB)
- A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. (Proverbs 17:22, NKJV)
- “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:9,10 [read all], NKJV)
- “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore, my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.” (Psalms 28:7, NKJV)
- Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40: 30, 31, NKJV)
- Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NKJV)
This is not to say that all is well or perfect in my life or the world, it only means that the “Joy of the Lord,” is able to carry us through the good times, difficult times, and grievous times of life. And when we realize how GOOD God has been to us, and ALL that He has instore for us, in the future, that brings JOY to our soul and a smile to our face!!!
The JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH!!!
Hallelujah!!!