Joy That Empowers the New Year

Nehemiah 8:10, "...for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

The last month or more, you've heard countless expressions encouraging you to be "merry" to and to be "happy" as we celebrated Christ's coming and the turn of a new year.

What if that joy is meant to be known through the whole year? Let me declare that one of the abilities we have to make God-honoring, Gospel changes in our world is directly linked to this powerful truth.

In Nehemiah 8, the people of Jerusalem were celebrating the monumental accomplishment of rebuilding the city's physical walls. But there were still things to be done personally. The people were tired and, perhaps, overwhelmed would be a good word to describe them. There were tasks still ahead. Ezra and Nehemiah led the people in the reading of the Scriptures, and they realized their lives were "out of whack" with God.

Experience shows that as we feel overwhelmed even small steps forward can feel like mountains to climb. That's not a good feeling.

Sometimes we overcommit, and our boundaries and balance is off. Other times, we feel like there's nothing left to give. And then there are times that, even after celebrating and seeing the good things of God, we revert to periods of depression or anxiety fearing what is ahead--sometimes because of the scars of our past.

Here's what I love about this passage. The leaders encouraged the people a couple of ways. One, they helped them to understand what the Bible says and how to live it out together. This is one of the reasons why being a part of a church family is important today. We get to share and encourage each other according to the Scriptures. Make this one of your commitments this year. I'm looking forward to what God will do at Open Door in 2026 as we focus on building lives, so we can be "Sent" out to make a difference in our community.

Another thing the leaders encouraged the people to do was to focus on the Lord and to celebrate Him. They declared that time to be a holy one to the Lord. When we focus on God and celebrate Him, it's amazing how everything around us comes back into perspective and alignment. When we are truly in the presence of the Lord, we recognize that He is still the King, ruling and reigning over every little and big thing.

And there in God's throne room, there's a peace that allows us to breathe and laugh again. Tears of sorrow can give way to tears of joy. The world may be falling apart around us, but there is a holy joy that God gives us in the midst of it all.

Here's where it gets better. When we have God's joy, it gives us strength and power to take the next step, move forward, and find victory in Him--even when those steps are part of a what seems to be a very long journey.

Read this again: "...for the joy of the Lord is your strength," (Nehemiah 8:10).

You may be wrestling with putting away your Christmas decorations, taking intentional steps to share the Gospel, or wrestling with sin, but know that God's joy is there--it's right there in Christ's presence--and you will have His strength in whatever you face for His glory!

I am cheering you on as you grow in your walk with Christ. Share this verse and truth with a friend if it's been a help to you.

May you have a joy-filled and powerful year ahead in the Lord,
Pastor Dennis Schaffer
opendooronline.com