May 27, 2022

“The Joy of the Lord”

During a Sunday school lesson, a little boy learned how God created human beings. He became especially focused when the teacher explained how Eve was created from Adam’s ribs. Later that week, the boy’s mother saw him lying down on the floor, so she asked him what was wrong. His reply was priceless: “Mom, I have a pain in my side – I think I’m getting a wife.”

You know what, in a day when humor is sometimes hard to find, it’s uplifting to read a silly story like that.

Sunday’s message is based on Nehemiah 8:10: Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

I know there have been times, even recently, when I’ve experienced, for various reasons, a depletion of joy.  I suspect some of you reading this edition of Friday Focus have experienced the same. Truth is, as human beings we’re bound to experience levels of joy that both ebb and flow.

But God’s great encouragement to us is simple – the restoration of our joy can always be found in Him. Not so much in the things He does for us or gives us, but simply in knowing Him. According to Psalm 51:12, our joy can be restored.  Now, if something needs to be restored, it stands to reason it’s not in the condition it once was. The fact that verse is in the Bible gives me great hope.

Sunday will give all of us the opportunity to consider four specific ways God restores our joy. I hope you can be with us as we explore this very important and timely topic.

Looking to Him for my joy!

pastor jamie