Daily Reading: Joy
The joy of the Lord is my strength. God, the source of all hope, fills me completely with joy through my faith in Him. Joy is not merely some emotional feeling affected by circumstances. The joy filling my heart and mind is a natural by-product of the Holy Spirit’s work within me. Joy results from being in right relationship with God, my loving heavenly Father, through faith in Jesus Christ. His fruit in me is joy. His joy in me is unchanging, everlasting, and will sustain me for the rest of my life.
The joy of the Lord is my strength. And because my strength comes from the Lord I will rejoice no matter what occurs. His joy nourishes me today even when conditions and events seem empty and unsatisfying. My confidence and faith is in Jesus, and His promises. I’ve given my life to His cause and I know that He will complete His work in me; He is able and I am committed. Because of His joy in me I rejoice.
I will not allow myself to be drawn into petty issues that rob my heart and mind of the joy Jesus has given me. Instead I will continue to focus on the joy that comes from the forgiveness I have in Him. I have a firm resolve and an unshakable faith in Jesus Christ and my union with Him, and my devotion to Him gives me life. This life in Him gives me an eternal perspective and this perspective gives me great joy. Today I’m going to live in such a way that others will see and know that the joy of the Lord is my strength, so they too can see their life through Jesus’ perspective.
My heart is set on a journey with Jesus today and on this journey I have strength through the joy He gives me. I live in joy and expectation as I look forward to His return and experience His kingdom through my relationship with Him. Because the joy of the Lord is in me, my attitude is the same as that of Christ Jesus. I will not allow the pressures of this day or the remorse of my past to steal my joy, rather I will press on to live the life He has given me. Today I’m focusing on this one truth; the joy of the Lord is my strength and His strength is my joy.