“Joy is strength.” ― Mother Teresa

We have heard the scripture, “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10 ESV)” but how can we understand the strength we receive?

In the Websters Dictionary 1828, it has two profound descriptions:
1. “…We say, a man has strength to lift a weight, or to draw it. This quality is called also power and force. But force is also used to denote the effect of strength exerted, or the quantity of motion. Strength in this sense, is positive, or the power of producing positive motion or action, and is opposed to weakness.”
2. Power or vigor of any kind. “This act shall crush the strength of Satan.”

Both definitions describe strength as power. It enables us to have a positive supply of power to address whatever we face and even enough strength to withstand or defeat the devil’s attack against us. Now, this is the kind of strength we need; it IS powerful!

“My joy in life is not because I have not had any problems. I have joy because I have learned there is nothing too great for God’s power to deal with, nor anything too small or insignificant for His love to be concerned about.” – Josh McDowell 

“My joy in my life comes from my strength in my life and in my experience with God. That cannot be separated from football. It is all the same to me. It is one. I am one with it.” – Troy Polamalu

We talked about Joy from the Holy Spirit and God’s Word in the last two posts, which are crucial in our daily lives, to access the power joy brings. So, let’s pray “to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.” – Colossians 1:10-11 ESV

Please join me next time as we continue to “focus on joy.”

[Joy is => inner gladness, delight, calm delight, or even rejoicing.]
If you missed the prior post, click here.

Thank you for your time. Be Blessed! LR Maddox
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