Most people loosely quote Nehemiah 8:10b, stating that “the joy of the Lord is their strength” without fully understanding how one can obtain and enjoy this great privilege. I find myself in an adventurous season, and lots of things that I have NEVER experienced before are happening. Some of them I dreamed about as far as July 2025, and amuse me when I see them happen 😊, while others were never revealed to me. Despite all those ups and downs, I am “confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in us will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 NKJV
Today, I want to thank my pastoral team for their love, care, support, and prayers. When your spiritual antennas are active, you discern what is happening around you without anyone giving you the details; this is called spiritual alignment, and if it is so, one can say AMEN. I am grateful for their integrity, a constant reminder that the church is about community, fellowship, worship, and ONLY exhorting Jesus! In the season I find myself in, I perceive them as Ezra, and I pray that the Lord God the Almighty protect and preserve them; shield their families as they serve the Lord Jesus.
For those who do not understand or have not experienced how the joy of the Lord becomes our strength, I pray for the eyes of their understanding to be enlightened; that they may know what the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in their lives. Ephesians 1:18 NKJV Hallelujah! I pray that the scripture below will encourage you to freely worship the Lord with everything you have, love, and appreciate your pastoral team, serve the community with passion and humility, understanding the significance of servanthood. Lastly, may the Ezras and Nehemias of this hour arise to teach and guide the people of God in Jesus Mighty name, I pray!
“Ezra Reads and Explains the Law
1Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4 So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left hand Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. 9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, 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 nor weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” 11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.” Nehemiah 8:1-12 NKJV
I pray for authentic worship and true fellowship. I pray for those who have been hurt to find peace in Christ Jesus our Lord and to forgive as we all have been forgiven. I pray for those who have been judged and misunderstood to continue modelling a selfless living that is grounded in the mercies of YHW that are new every morning. Oh! May we sing, how great is His faithfulness to us! Lamentation 3:23-25. Amen!
#“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV
#“Then David dancedbefore the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod.” 2 Samuel 6:14 NKJV
#“Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” Nehemiah 8:11 NKJV
You are known by the Most High God!
The competition is going to weigh you down!
