Joy

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. ~ Nehemiah 8:9-12

The people returned to their homeland as was promised to them by God. The wall protecting the city has just been finished. The people were assembled in order to hear the law that was read to them. The response of the people was tears. The leaders comforted the people, not to mourn but to rejoice. A comforting part of these verses is "for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Same way with us; if we do not hear the Word of God, it weakens us. But when we hear or read the Word of God, it gives us joy. Joy was given a new meaning, such as:

J-ESUS

O-THERS

Y-OU

We need to put Jesus first, others - second and third, ourselves. In this way our 'joy' will be made complete.

Have a work week full of 'JOY!'