THINK JOY

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks and send to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

We find in the Old Testament the prophets Ezra and Nehemiah along with a small remnant of those who had been exiled by king Nebuchadnezzar returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall that had been left in ruins. This should have been a joyful time, but instead it was a sad time seeing the ruins of their beloved city and the wall. They had encountered opposition, but this did not stop them from fulfilling their mission directed by God. When they gathered together after completion of the wall, they were still weeping and saddened because they had listened to the words from the Law that Ezra had read. (Nehemiah 8:9)

When we receive God’s word in our lives it pierces our soul and we tend to weep because it convicts us of our wrongdoings. And when we confess them to Christ we are reconciled. A transformation has happened and our souls feel alive again. “There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2) What brings this joy into our lives? - Our reconciliation with our Savior. Jesus said to his disciples “Rejoice with me, I have found my lost coin. In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:9-10)

The Scriptures says that the prophet Nehemiah told them not to grieve, but to celebrate. As believers, we too should celebrate what the Lord has done for us. In our times, we may go through financial hardships, break-ups, loss of a loved one or even testing of our faith, but my brother and sister God is on our side “for the joy of the Lord is our strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) Why were the people to celebrate? Because they understood the words that had been made known to them – God’s word!

When you my friend, in your time encounter a worst moment -think joy! Say to yourself ‘I think joy!” Pick yourself up from the trial or problem you are encountering, seek God in prayer and let him move you to the peace and rest that surpasses all understanding. The apostle Paul in midst of sufferings said “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

My friend and fellow Saints, open your hearts to the joy of God’s grace and celebrate like those who had come from exile to celebrate the word of God in their lives. Today, we rejoice in praise for the rebuilding of your life in Christ Jesus.

God Bless.