Today’s Promise

November 15, 2021

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10

The Joy of the Lord

The Children of God had been forced into exile because of their sin. Nehemiah gathered the people together, and the priest read the scriptures. Now, it had been a long time since the people had heard God’s Word read. When they heard His word, they responded in sorrow, weeping, and mourning. 

Nehemiah stood before the people and gave them a strange command. He told them to stop weeping, go, eat, and celebrate. Don’t be sorrowful, but be joyful, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

They were to celebrate the forgiveness and restoration God had brought about. 

This story seems so contrary to our thinking. When we experience the conviction of sin, our first response is guilt and shame. A celebration is not the first thing that comes to mind. 

God’s response to our repentance is forgiveness and restoration. God is joyful over our repentance and return to Him.

Jesus Was Joyful

Christianity is a joyful religion. Jesus was a joyful person.

In John 15, Jesus told the disciples that everything He taught them was so that His joy would be in them, and their joy would be full.

What does the joy of the Lord mean? Just knowing God is the starting point for joyful living. God is joyful over you and me. I have three children, and they are the joy of my life. I am proud of their accomplishments, and I love bragging about them to my friends. Just as a human father is joyful and takes pride in his children, so God is joyful and takes great pride in His children.

As His child, He takes joy in and over you.

God’s Joy Gives You Strength

God’s joy over you gives you strength and courage to face tomorrow. His joy lives in you and gives you a joy that is beyond understanding. Your joy is not dependent on your circumstance. The joy of the Lord comes from an inner peace knowing all is well with you and God. Joy is the confidence that God is working for your good.

The Joy of the Lord lifts your heart from sorrow to celebration, thanksgiving, and worship. The joy of the Lord is your strength today.

Look at that promise again.

Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10

Make these confessions.

  • I have the joy of Jesus in me today.
  • My joy is not dependent on my circumstances but on the Lord.
  • My Heavenly Father rejoices over me today.
  • The joy of the Lord is my strength today.

In Jesus name,
Amen

As you place your trust in the Lord, you will find His joy springing up in your innermost being. You will find new strength as you rest in the joy of the Lord.

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3 Comments

  1. Eric November 15, 2021 at 2:37 pm - Reply

    Praise to our Father in Heaven for speaking His Word and making it so alive to us! And thank you for letting Him write these words through you. I have been parked in John 15 for the past week and have been going through Nehemiah for the past few days. I sitting here on my lunch I thought to open my email and saw this email which I haven’t visited before. And to see how He summed it all up here is just too amazing to my eyes. May He send a double blessing your way as I have just been double blessed! Grace and peace to you in Jesus Name!!

  2. David Soldan November 15, 2021 at 6:43 pm - Reply

    I both read and listen to the Daily promise daily. I also share with my family and friends. It truly is a blessing to share the daily promise with friends and family.
    God bless you Billy for the ministry you share with the daily promise.

  3. Sameer February 8, 2022 at 11:49 pm - Reply

    I read the Daily Promise daily and truly enjoy it. It’s my daily devotion to the Lord.Thank you Billy.God bless.
    Thank You.Thank You. Thank You

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