The joy of the Lord is my strength
The last Blog you read from me was written 26 days before my daughter Olivia was getting married and I was right in the middle of a family storm and clinging to the story of Jesus calming the wind and the waves. (Mark 4 verse 35 – 41)
As I write this we are 37 days post-wedding and I have spent much time browsing through wedding photographs, bits of video and gathering my thoughts of a most wonderful, love-filled, joyful wedding.
The family storm is calmer but so much has happened in the last 37 days, both good and bad, that much of what the storm was about seems very insignificant now… but that is probably a blog for another time.
So today I am thinking about Joy, the wedding was joyful despite me feeling that my “joy” had been robbed from me – I found my joy that day and every day in Nehemiah 8 – The JOY of the Lord is your strength.
SO what makes you happy?... For me, a nice big bar of chocolate and a good funny film makes me happy! A long walk in the sunshine on a beach makes me very happy… but what brings you Joy?
My children bring me joy…not always happiness, sometimes over the years, heartache and despair but most of the time they bring me joy. Joy is not just happy – its more than happy. Although happiness and joy can be present at the same time, happiness is based on “things” or events…Joy on the other hand is from God and runs deeper – it can be present during unhappy times, it’s an inner feeling. Happiness is an outward expression, JOY on the other hand endures hardship, bad things, things that make us sad.
When good things happen you may give God credit for it, not just the big things, the little things too.. you’ve prayed for a car parking space and when you find one you remember to say thank you to Him.
When bad things happen you may feel God has turned his back on you – Many times I have cried out to God, “Where are YOU in all of this rubbish that’s going on” then I think about how much God loves me and is with me in the bad times and I can feel Joy. Joy comes from knowing God, enjoying what God has done for you and believing that He constantly cares for you and loves you.
Knowing we are God’s children and that He loves us and wants what is best for us will bring us Joy.
Lord, fill our hears with joy, and remind us that our strength comes from you. When we look at the beauty of your creation and remember the salvation that you have given to us our hearts sing for Joy. You are good Lord and your love endures forever. AMEN.
