The Joy of the Lord

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.” – Nehemiah 8:10

Finding joy in the Lord is an easy task when life is going well. When the bills are paid, and the pantry is full. When the kids are well, and your spouse is sober. When the job is easy, and the days are light.

But what about when they aren’t? What about the days when there are more bills than money and the panty is looking bare? What about the moments when the kids are sick or your spouse has relapsed? When the job is anything but easy and the days are heavy and painful?

Finding joy in the Lord in these moments can feel like another task on the already long to-do list. Well-meaning Christians quote verses at you like, “Rejoice always in the Lord”. But is that even possible in the middle of the pain and heartbreak?

Yes, it’s possible. It’s possible to find joy in the middle of the chaos and pain and uncertainty of your life. It’s possible to experience peace and comfort right now. It’s not an easy path but it’s a familiar one.

It starts with worship. You don’t have to worship God because of your circumstances. In fact, they might be pretty dismal. But you can always, always worship God for who He is…

• God is your Shield (Psalm 28:7)
• God is your Strength (Psalm 28:7)
• God is your Light (Psalm 27:1)
• God is your Salvation (Psalm 27:1)
• God is your Rock (Psalm 18:2)
• God is your Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
• God is your Joy (Nehemiah 8:10)

Ross Parsely once said, "Worship is the affirmation that God is big enough and strong enough to walk with us through a crisis and make something beautiful out of it.”

God, I’m aching today. I need Your grace. I need Your strong Father-arms wrapping around me. I need to feel you. Meet with me in this broken, messy moment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.