DAILY JOY
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our LORD. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)
I keep thinking about what I heard a pastor once say: when I need the entertainment of the world, I’ve lost the joy of the Lord. The truth is I often associate God with a serious, stern, intense presence. Those things are true to a degree, but He is also the most joyful being in the whole world. You don’t need to supplement other things to find joy. When creating a balanced meal, people will say you need protein, several vegetables, and fruit, and my balanced diet includes dessert! The point is you need multiple things to make a complete meal. Sometimes, I think we have a similar approach to God. We believe we need certain things to supplement joy, but you don’t. He is our true joy if you slow down enough to be with Him.
Make no mistake, because, in a culture of immediacy, God seems to be slow joy. He is a crockpot of joy. You have to take your time, reflect, and drink in His presence. So many of us settle for the other sources of joy because they are far more immediate. The food fills our stomachs, the TV shows fill our minds, the hobbies capture our attention, and so on… But wherever your source of joy is, remember, it’s fleeting. You will be hungry again soon, you will need more shows, and you need more stuff to fill you up, but God's joy is slow but lasting. Sometimes, I just sit in His presence, and at the moment, it feels hard and, honestly, like nothing is happening. When I’m done, I feel a peace and joy that surprises me from simply sitting and focusing on Him or reading the word. Friends don’t settle. Drink deep from the well of daily joy that comes from the Spirit. New life awaits.
APPLICATION: Try to take 10-15 minutes today and just focus on a Bible verse.
PRAYER: Ask God to give you supernatural joy! Ask Him what is cutting into the joy you currently have. Sit in a Bible verse and repeat it over and over again until it fills you with joy and peace.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?