Text - Nehemiah 8:10c
"....for the joy of the Lord is your strength"
For every medicine, there's just the right dose to take. Under use or over use of any drug is likely to have adverse effect on its user.
Well, with the gift of the joy of the Holy Ghost it can never be too much.
The joy of the Holy Ghost can make others think of you as crazy, because of how you can act out sometimes because of this Joy.
I always love to look at the life of one wonderful character in the Bible. He was known as a man who had God's heart. He just knew how to get to God. His name is, David. One thing I have learnt from David's life is that, he always praised and worshipped God as he drew his strength from Him.
Now this is where we are at now. How did he always have it all together even when things seemed to fall apart around him?
This is the Joy given to every child of God.
The Joy of the Holy Ghost; What does it feel like? How can I experience it? Well, the Joy you so ,much want is only found in the Holy Ghost, it's the fruit He gives (Gal 5:22). Remember our last month's devotional was all about the sweet Holy Spirit.
When you have the Holy Spirit in you - who comes only when we surrender all to Jesus - there is the Joy He so graciously gives that becomes yours.
How does it feel like to have this joy? David, God's heart-man was always a man of joy. He sang to God, worshipped Him and danced to Him. The feeling of Joy is so seamlessly beautiful, that all you ever want to do is just live happily, most especially to make God pleased.
Let me point out here that, being joyful isn't only when you're happy and feel like singing. Joy is known also as inner strength (Nehemiah 8:10). In fact, it's at fallen times, times of despair that joy is most evident (Psalm 61:2).
When you can't explain the situation which is more of depressing, that's when the joy of the Holy Ghost can so overwhelm you, that you start worshipping or speaking in tongues or just chanting, or just laughing or even crying...but it's all beautiful release of your self and your will to God. Brothers Paul and Silas knew this and they testified to it as well.
The Joy of the Holy Ghost cannot be exhausted. It's something everyone is meant to have. So don't just stand there engulfed in the spiraling-down of world systems, will you prefer to become a victim of depression or cynicism? Or would you prefer to pitch your tent in the Lord Jesus' camp, and enjoy this wonderful gift of joy, ever available and never too much to have?
Come on now and call Jesus into your life, so you don't miss out on this! If you already have Him in, please let your joy remain intact by renewing your mind through His word and constant communion with Him.
The Joy and Peace of God be with you all.