Nov. 9, 2014
MY FRIENDS, THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH AND STRONGHOLD!!!
“Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.” Nehemiah 8:10 (AMP)
Joy is; “a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: My friends, today I 
need you to focus on Nehemiah 8 it gives an account of a “solemn religious assembly.”
Some Jews have returned from exile and are back in Jerusalem, they are also in the process of trying to rebuild their lives, along with the walls of Jerusalem which at one time had provided security and a refuge, not realizing their only refuge was in the arms of God, who protects from any and all outside forces.
The people are now assembled Neh. 8:2-3 (ESV) tells us and all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel.
So Ezra the priest brought the Law and he read in the presence of the men and the women and all those who could understand. 
And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Oh the piercing words from God to all who listened.
“They wept to think how they had offended God, and exposed themselves, by their many violations of the law; when some wept all wept, for they all saw themselves guilty before God.” (Matthew Henry Commentary)
But my friends in the midst of their sorrow Ezra tells them not to be depressed or upset “for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold” John also tells us “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 (NKJV)
Oh, the depressing times we live in, the uncertainty of what lies ahead, but for a child of God there is joy in spite of a world that has lost its spiritual compass, and have no, nor do they seek direction, and that Joy comes from serving God.
In addition, it comes from the anticipation of where God will lead, what depths, what heights, how far will our faith be stretched today. “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me,” Ps 31:3 (NIV) as we allow our entire life to be centered on what God wants and the joy of being lead by the one who gave it all for our Salvation.
In God’s word, there are promises of Joy and hope, if we believe for “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” In Ps. 46:1 (NKJV) our God tells us to “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of [the enemy.]”
Consistent with this, “the Lord our God, He is the One who goes with us. He will not leave us nor forsake us.” Deu. 31:6 (KJV) In spite of our heartache and pain Psalm 30:4-5 tells us to “Sing praises to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.” Yes 
“Weeping may endure for a night.” but He will get us through the storm as we move towards the promise land.
That text gives His Children a reason to shout and praise God’s name, before our joy in the morning even arrives, because God’s promises tells us our weeping will only last through the night. Because at the setting of the Sun, and darkness surrounds the firmament over the sky, Our joy and hope awaits us in the morning.
David uses the night to show us that our weeping is temporary, the night isn’t going to last, so the only place for our trust is in the loving arms of our Savior, because everything else is temporary. But if we have faith and endure His joy will last throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity
So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY
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