The Joy of the Lord

Joy and happiness are not the same thing. Happiness depends on what happens — circumstances, events, outcomes. But joy is a deep, abiding confidence that God is in control, regardless of what is happening around you. Nehemiah told the people not to grieve because the joy of the Lord was their strength. This was at a time when the people were weeping upon hearing God's Word read aloud — they were convicted of how far they had strayed. Yet even in that moment of conviction, God wanted them to find joy in His grace. Fasting can sometimes bring heaviness, but God's desire is that you find joy — even in the discipline. Joy is your strength. Let it rise within you today.