Today’s Affirmation: The joy of the Lord is my strength.
This affirmation came from Nehemiah 8:10. The Israelites had settled into their towns after the walls had been rebuilt and they asked Ezra to read out loud to them the Book of the Law of Moses.
Love this…”all the people lifted their hands and responded “Amen! Amen!. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”
The people were moved to tears from the reading of the law. I am not a biblical scholor and do not know why the people were saddened. Did they feel guilty for not following the law or were they just overwhelmed by the greatness of God? Nehemiah reminded them of how sacred this day was and asked them to be reminded of joy and not grief. They had a choice on how to approach that day.
Now that’s the way I want to start my days, do you? Lifting my hands and bowing down to worship my Lord. Makes it hard to see the negative when you begin with joy in your heart just praising your God, huh?
Nehemiah told them to go and enjoy the feast and share with those who did not have anything prepared. He told them that “this day is sacred to the Lord your God.”
Then the people went to celebrate with great joy, “because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.”
Yes, “This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
1. Take a moment to find a spot to bow down and worship the Lord. Can you do this today? Can you start your tomorrow this way? Can you imagine the joy?
2. Do you believe this day is sacred and you have a choice to grieve or to be joyous?
3. Focusing on the praise of God and the understanding of His word changed these peoples outlook on the day. Do you think focusing on God can keep us from focusing on ourselves and those things that bring us grief?
Today is sacred and you have a choice to make. Hope you choose joy.
Tom
I’m choosing Joy today because of Him.
Thank you Tom, I needed to hear this.
Love all your messages.
Thank you.
Thank you Velvet. Have a great day! Loved your car story yesterday…that is soooo my life!
I choose Joy. The alternative stinks. To answer your question: Both. I think they were saddened by their lack of commitment and they realized the lost years. I think they were also thrilled to be back “home” in a place that was fixed. Good thoughts today Tom.
Thanks Bill and grateful to have a man of the Word give this word meaning. Wow, just read your blog yesterday and that was intense and incredible!
Thanks!
Finally made it over here. My girls and I read today about King Josiah. He was read the law of the Lord and he fell on his face and tore his clothes, knowing that his people had failed to worship God. He tore down all the idols and high places that were built to worship false idols. Interestingly enough, one of the idols was Astoreth or Aster which was the goddess of fertility and also was the original reason for celebrating “Easter”. The whole bunny thing was because of her being the goddess of fertility and bunnies represented fertility. (We didn’t learn that from the Bible–but from a book explaining the geography and culture in Bible stories). Anyway, just as you mentioned above…Josiah and his people realized that the day was sacred. They chose to repent and turn from their ways after hearing the truth of the law. God forgave them their sins and they too found joy. Good reminders and something to ponder. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for visiting MB. We can and I guess should react to the reading of the law. I am thankful for the law and the ability to just praise Him and find His joy. Thanks to the coming of Jesus and the Holy Spirit we can focus on love of Him and others. Loved your courage on Bill’s message yesterday so passionate and transparent. Just showed a strength of character and a searching heart. Pray you find what you are searching for today!
Thanks Tom! I’m feeling somewhat drained but I’m doing better. I realized there is much to deal with in my life…things that I thought I had dealt with but I didn’t. Bringing up stuff just means I still am mad about it. Anyway, I appreciate your prayers. God bless you.
I can so relate from a different perspective. Almost three years ago I admitted I was an alcoholic and began attending Celebrating Recovery at my church…I came to realize that not only me but MOST people are hurting from something. I LOVE my times in the small group environment. Went in with Alcohol and found out it was just a part of my issues…keep talking it out it really does begin the healing. ONe of the steps is admit to yourself, God and to another human being the exact nature of your defects of character and this is the BEGINNING of healing…you have begun and keep talking it out.
God bless you!
I choose JOY. You have found your joy in these affirmations and I know God is blessing you daily and many others as well.
I am excited to see where this all goes and how your years of hard study and deligence pays off in others lives and ours.
Thanks for being and living the life of a Godly man.
LOve you, R
Thank you baby. I appreciate your dropping by and for your support. God has plans for us and I so appreciate the love of such a godly wife. Impressed you found your way here. Love you!
Somehow I’m a day behind!
This is key for me Tom. Joy doesn’t come natural for this girl…
Thank you for the reminder…
Today, I choose joy…
(Maybe I needed this today)
love to you and yours…
You were too busy painting yesterday…so I know you found Joy. Thanks Robin praying you find Joy and confidence in Him today. Thanks for taking the time to check in!