MEMORISE:
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10
READ: Colossians 1:9-11
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
MESSAGE
Joy is a great source of strength that many people are unaware of. Nehemiah knew this and he continuously drew strength from joy on turbulent times. When the people he led were downcast, he was able to encourage them to draw strength from this same source, based on his own personal experience. He said to them in Nehemiah 8:10:
“…Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
In these perilous times, we need strength to run the Christian race. Thankfully, our heavenly Father has what it takes to give us all the strength we need. Our strength can be found in the joy of the Lord. No wonder our Lord Jesus was anointed to give *_"the oil of joy"_* to those without strength (Isaiah 61:3). This same anointing is available to us today through the Holy Spirit who lives within us. In fact, one dimension of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22). It is therefore obvious that we need to make Him our friend if we don't want to experience weariness in our walk with God. However, to be a friend of the Holy Spirit, you need to first live a holy life. Holiness is so paramount to Him that it forms part of His Name. Also, you must avoid grieving Him (Ephesians 4:30). He is grieved when we refuse to heed His warnings, and the resulting separation leads to futile efforts that drain our strength, because those who lose touch with the Holy Spirit are usually taken over by the spirit of error. May this never be your experience in Jesus' Name.
While sorrow depletes strength from an individual, joy gives strength. The Bible tells of how sorrow drained David of strength after his camp was raided and he and his soldiers discovered that their entire families had been taken captive. 1 Samuel 30:4 says:
“Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.”
This is why commands such as "weep not" and "be of good cheer" must be taken seriously (Luke 8:52, Matthew 14:27). To have unspeakable joy, we need to learn obedience to the word of God. We can walk in perpetual joy if we maintain the joy of our salvation. Beloved, if you have lost the joy of your salvation, pray to God for restoration like David did in Psalm 51:12, and He will restore you. I pray that you will be full of the joy of the Lord from now on in Jesus' Name.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please give me unspeakable joy to run my Christian race with strength, in Jesus' Name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Kings 20-21, Daniel 3:1-15
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 9: IN CHRIST ALONE
1. In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
2. In Christ alone! Who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
3. There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
4. No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
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