Listen

Don’t be sad, because the joy from the Lord is your strength!

Nehemiah 8:10b

Think

What gives you strength? Maybe it’s encouragement from a friend, a good night’s sleep, or a playlist that pumps you up. What if real strength comes from something deeper?

Nehemiah told a group of people who were feeling broken and overwhelmed that the joy of the Lord could be their strength. Not their energy or confidence. God’s joy. That’s where their strength would come from. It sounds backward, but it makes sense: when we remember how much God loves us and how faithfully God shows up for us, we find power we didn’t know we had.

It’s like finding that surprise energy drink in the back of the refrigerator when we’re up cramming for a test. But joy that comes from God is better than an energy drink. God’s joy helps us stand back up when life knocks us down. It helps us smile through the tears, stay kind when we’re frustrated, and keep going even when we feel like giving up. This joy isn’t shallow or fake. It’s deep and strong. And it’s for you.

Lauren Mills

Question to Ponder:

When have you needed strength, and how could God’s joy help you keep going?

Pray

God, when I feel tired, sad, or frustrated, help me remember that your joy gives me strength. Today I need strength for…

Amen.

Go

May you walk in the deep joy of Jesus today: joy that stays with you in every moment and flows from God’s heart to yours.