Nehemiah 8:10 says, "for the joy of the Lord is your strength". I pray today and everyday that I can convey this joy, so others will see Christ in me and enjoy this same overwhelming joy!
I wrote the words above earlier this year when I woke to one of my favorite Inspiration's songs. At that time, I never would have dreamed over the next several months, we would experience some of the things we have been through. I hear it almost everyday by almost every one, 2020 has been a year like none other in our lives. It seems that not a day goes by, where we do not get news of someone being sick, a tragedy, a death. We've had to suspend Church services twice, we've had shutdowns, social distancing, creating such a disconnect it seems from family and friends. If you turn on the news we hear about the crime rate being up and so is the suicide rate. We hear more people have been placed on medication for depression than ever before. We go to the stores and we often find a shortage of the product we need. Yes, it has been quite a year. Perhaps not the most terrible year in our history but it has been a year like I don't remember.
Yesterday morning, I heard some other news that made me sad. As I sat in my chair thinking about that news, I realized all around me were decorations of the season. Luke 2: 9-14 says, "And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Yes, we hear lots of news that make us sad, disappointed or whatever emotion we might feel but let us not forget this season of joy. This is the season we celebrate with great joy the birth of Jesus, our Savior. For as it says in Nehemiah, "the joy of my Lord is my strength"!
I hope you will listen to the words and be blessed by hearing The Inspirations sing "Overwhelming Joy" today!
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