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 Amplified Bible)
I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. (Philippians 4:13 Amplified Bible)
This is the third Sunday of Advent and the traditional focus for this week of Advent is joy. I love the truth that JOY isn't just some sort of fluffy, silly emotion. On the contrary, the joy that God gives us is a powerful thing, a force to be reckoned with. It's an immovable stronghold, impenetrable to the storms of life or the attacks of the enemy. The joy that God gives isn't dependent on things all going our way-on never experiencing testing, trials or suffering. God-given joy is an effervescent fountain from a supernatural source in the middle of the desert. It can't be manufactured, bought, or produced by human effort. It's the sap of heaven flowing in our soul when we are connected to the Vine, Christ Jesus.
Without Jesus we are weak and puny and easily shaken. We can't even stand on our own two feet in the face of life's turmoil. But, just as tea put in hot water infuses that water until it becomes tea, Jesus in us makes us wholly, (holy!), different! We fills us with His joy and infuses us with His strength. Because of this, we can face a coming Christmas that may look a bit different than Christmases past and the unknown future of the New Year with joy and strength and confidence in the One Who has us in His hands.
You describe it beautifully accurate when we receive His Joy. Have a happy week.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very happy Christmas
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