*Nehemiah 8:10

Devo Fuel: {What is Joy?}

"The Joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

Some ppl think Christians should always be smiling or be happy, and something is wrong if they aren't But this is not necessarily true. Jesus stood outside the tomb of His friend Lazarus, and we read that "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). As He approached Jerusalem "He saw the city and wept" (Luke 19:41) because of its spiritual blindness and guilt. He knelt in the garden of Gethsemane and was "in agony . . . [and] His sweat became like great drops of blood" (Luke 22:44).

Don't confuse happiness w/ Joy. Happiness comes w/ happy circumstances and is temporary; joy wells up deep inside our souls as we learn to trust God. Joy does not mean that we are never sad or that we never cry. But joy is a quiet confidence, a state of inner peace that comes from God.

Lifes troubles will rob us of our happiness, but they can never rob us of the joy God gives us. Turn in faith to Him and seek His face for He will show you wonders you have never imagined.