MY STRENGTH

Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV) ... Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 
      There is a false joy permeating society, it has been present since the very fall of man, the sense of being free and wreck less is actually bondage to the design of an enemy that desires you fail. How has this happened, I am so glad you asked?
      We have a fleshly desire to throw off restraints of any kind, do not tell me what to do, mind your own business, get out of my way, all remind us of a design to bring moral value into our lives. There is nothing good in us, in Matthew 19:17 Jesus says, "None is good but one, that is God," and in Romans 7:18 we read, "in me nothing good dwells," the conclusion is we need help.
      The manufactured happiness in our lives does not last or comfort, we need real joy, that will come only through our God. Israel has fallen away from God, they are lost in the land of promise following false gods, they have tried everything the land has to offer and God is not in their sins. They are captive to other nations and sinful living deprived of real joy, following leaders that have no direction. (Sounds very familiar.)
       The Word of God is found, read to the people and a great revival follows, brokeness, grieving and repentance is overwhelming the people, the leaders respond to God and the word and recognize it is now a time for rejoicing. The joy of the Lord becomes their strength, this joy can be ours as well, simply trust Him today with all your heart, believe Jesus died for your sins, and ask Him to come into your life. "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
Heavenly Father, let all my joy be in You, may others find You to be all they need. May we trust You in all we do to lead us in and through every difficulty, let us rejoice in You! Amen