For the Joy of the Lord is Your Strength

This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. ~ Nehemiah 8:10b

The Jews under the leadership of Nehemiah had finally completed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and had settled in their towns. Then on the first day of the seventh month, they assembled in the square as they listened to Ezra read the words from the Book of the Law of Moses.

After Ezra's reading of God's words, Nehemiah said "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to the Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

It is was a time of celebration for the Jews not only because they had completed the walls of Jerusalem, but also because now they have heard again the words from the Book of the Law. I think God was really pleased as well with this that's why Nehemiah quoted the above-mentioned verse. His joy was their strength.

It is true that when we bring pleasure to God as we do when we obey His will, it should also bring us strength.  In fact, the thought of giving joy to God should motivate us in doing what is good and pleasing to Him.

For me, when I know that God is happy about something, my strength is renewed. This is true like when after coming from the church, when helping someone, or when spending a quiet time with Him. God's joy is a source of renewed strength for whatever we are going to do and in whatever we are going through. We may be in times of difficulties, but knowing that if we overcome, God is pleased, then we can find strength to keep going until we are victorious.

How about you? How do you feel when you know that you did something good and pleasing to God? Do you find strength in times of difficulties knowing that God is there cheering you on and waiting with a smile on His face when you are victorious?

Lord, I know that we have lots of struggles in the here and now. But I am comforted to think that someday, if I continue to be faithful, I will be able to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord."

Real Contentment Versus Love of Money

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
   “Never will I leave you;
   never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence,
   “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
   What can mere mortals do to me? ~ Hebrews 13:5-6

Keep your lives free from the love of money.  Two particular questions come to my mind with this statement. The first is a personal question which only I can answer - "Do I love money?" The second is a question that I believe others are asking as well - "When can one say that he/she is a lover of money?"

It's common to hear that people who love money have difficulty giving away their money. Well, if you worked hard to earn it, then it seems reasonable that you won't just give it away, right? But then, the question as to who or what you love more comes into play - money or someone who really needs it? money or God (talking about giving tithes and offering to God)? money or your health?

Another point regarding people loving money is the fact that people will do anything to get their hand on money. Forget about integrity, honesty, morality... forget about God. You may have been guilty with this in one way or another.

I know I have. It's been a year since my husband had lost his job and I have never been as busy as a stay at home and work at home mom. I know that we need the money now so I'm actually thankful for the opportunity to work from home. But I must admit that sometimes I allow my work to take away my time for God. (Shame on me.) Instead of me taking control of my work, I allow it to take control of me. I really need to learn to say NO to the flesh and say YES to the Spirit.

This verse today is calling my attention to beware of greed. Be content with what you have.  Whether I earn more or less, God is reminding me that He will give us what we need just as He always did. Real contentment is not about having all you want. Real contentment is knowing that God will provide all I need. Therefore, what I need to do is to keep trusting Him, give what is due Him both in terms of time, talents, money and so on, and He will take care of me and my family.

And if I learn to do that - be always free from the love of money and be content - I can lean on God's promise - He will not leave me nor forsake me. Ever since I knew Him, I could say that never did He abandon me, not even once.  God is truly faithful and true. He's truly someone on whom I can put my confidence.

The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.