Nehemiah 8:10

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Today my soul is overflowing with JOY. I am taking a quick break, while at work (I work at Fastenal, currently in a store in Southern Alabama). I walked out of the back of the store into the beautiful day to receive a “fill-up” of sunshine. There is a ton of adversity that is pounding on the door of my soul in this season, but the Joy of the Lord is my strength. As I stood on the green grass in the back of this store just soaking in the beautiful sun on this perfect day, I could not help but feel the blessings of the Lord all around me. It is so easy to let my mind dwell on the adversities of the day until it steals my smile and the reality of God’s goodness. It reminds me of how foolish the Israelite's look to us as we see a whole generation of God’s chosen people miraculously delivered from Egyptian slavery and being led through the dry ground of the Red Sea, and then through the desert – God taking care of their every need, yet they found themselves grumbling about the silliest things. . .

Taking just a few minutes to step back from the day and reflect on our creator has completely filled my soul with humble gratitude and melted away the temptation to worry. I am so blessed to know Jesus and be reunited in fellowship with my creator. His gentle spirit reminding me who I am and just how good our heavenly Father is. I can then see the blessings all around me. Even in the desert, Holy Spirit guides my steps day and night.

Lord, help each of us to fix our eyes upon you. Let us see through the adversity and drink from your goodness. Give us eyes to see your presence, your holiness and help us to realize that you are more than enough, even if we feel at times that you are all we have. Let the JOY of the Lord be our strength!

The Joy of the Lord is our Strength