Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV) 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Having joy as a believer does not mean we must walk around acting happy and bubbly even when we aren’t. Because, let’s face it, we don’t always feel happy, do we?
Sometimes we are full of sorrow.
Things happen and we, God’s children, grieve from time to time.
The joy of the Lord is knowing that while we go through our grieving time, He is with us. He will carry us; He is our JOY!
While going through hard times we don’t have to fake that we are OK. Maybe we can fool some, but most people can see right through us.
We need to be real with ourselves and with others.
If we are grieving, then we need to grieve. And over time we will get through it.
But while we are grieving we shouldn’t be ashamed of it. It’s OK to let others know we don’t want to do certain activities or even to not want company. Sometimes we want to be left alone, just us and God.
It’s the joy of the LORD that is our strength.
We need to get with Him. We need to take time to pour out our grief and pain at His feet.
Don’t walk around with a fake smile. Let His joy fill us again. But first we must lay our grief down and let Him help us through it.
Be real today and face the truth.
We may not feel very joyful, but we must remember the ONE who is. And that’s Who we put our faith and trust in.
We may be sorrowful for the moment, but Joy will come in the morning!
Psalm 30:5 (NKJV) 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
Amen.
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
49 N Lamplighters Walk
Hampstead, NC 28443
401-439-3780
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This is what I read Saturday morning before I got a call. It didn’t even register with me what it was preparing me for that day. I forgot until I went to read my devotion for today and this was still open. (One of my brothers committed suicide Saturday morning before I even read this and knew what happened). It seems God was preparing me for this day for this to be the verse and devotion on that day. Cry out to God. Pray to Him. Call out and pray for comfort and strength. He is there wanting to comfort us and delivery us from our pain and sorrow. I’ve been on my knees at the side of my bed, on the couch weeping and asking God for strength and healing. Read this devotion a few times. It is eerily strange how God’s timing is on different things and events that lets us know He is here. He is beside us. He wants us to lean on Him and talk to Him.
Tom, we are truly sorry to read of your tragic situation. But God is faithful to meet us where we are, giving us what we need to walk through the things we face. We thank Him for allowing us to be a part of helping you cope with that situation 🙏🏻
Thank you Pastor Curt. The timing of this was God’s providence. I appreciate what you do and write. Many times it makes me stop, re-read and think about what was said. I needed this. We are mourning the loss of my brother and this was exactly what we needed to hear. I’ve forwarded it to a few close friends and they can believe the timing. Thank you for following God’s leading.
You’re very welcome. Hold tightly to Him as you navigate the days and months ahead.