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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
An old worship song from a while back said:
I’m trading my shame.
I’m laying them down,
For the joy of the Lord.”
Written by Darrell Evans
©1998 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Weeping was a good response, to show your heart is tender in response to God. But God’s desire is not to leave you weeping. He wants you to have joy.
So, for that to happen, you have to be willing to trade up. You have to be willing to trade up by exchanging your sorrows and shame for the joy of the Lord.
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!” – Psalm 32:1-2 NLT
God wants you to have the…
- Joy of being more aware of His strength than just your weaknesses
- Joy of living in his presence rather than lingering in your guilt and shame
- Joy of obeying his Word and not just weeping over how you have disobeyed Him
You are born from above. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old is gone and the new has come. It’s time you experience the joy and reviving strength that comes with all of the above.
Your Pastor,
David Hulme
Senior Pastor