With God it’s ALL about Joy and Delight

I woke this morning around 5:30 and the very first thing to greet me was the Lord sharing this Scripture with me:

” …the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10 NLT

I thought about that as I went down to let me dog out. Then, another Scripture came to mind:

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Wow! What a way to wake up! With God it is ALL about joy and delight.

Scripture tells us:

“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” (Psalm 16:11 NASB)

Later that day as I shared this with my wife I was reminded of yet another pertinent Scripture:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

I’m beginning to sense a theme.

It is interesting reading through the context of these Scriptures. In Nehemiah, Israel had recently come back to the the land after Babylonian captivity and this new generation was getting reacquainted with the law (Moses writings) at a great assembly.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for this is a holy day. Do not grieve.” Nehemiah 8:9-11

How about that verse from the Psalms? What are the desires of your heart? Delight yourself in the Lord and you will have them!

I wanted to close with one last Scripture which is one of the few if not only places in Scripture where it specifically says “This is the will of God for you”:

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18 (

Always joyful, ever prayerful, and thankful in ALL circumstances. Got it!