Bible Talks

Nehemiah 8:10 says:

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

What I want to concentrate on is the last 5 words - '…the JOY of the Lord is your STRENGTH'

All to often, we allow things to get in, and 'steal' our Joy. We're easily robbed of our joy when an unexpected bill turns up, or a job promotion doesn't materialise, or a family member gets sick. However, this shouldn't be! Satan is 'prowling around' (1 Peter 5:8) and trying to steal your joy. He knows that it is your strength. The Amplified bible says it is our 'strength and stronghold' - so hold strongly onto it!

For today's verse, I wanted to reflect on a verse that I think God gave me for someone. Matthew 11:28-29:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

How many of us feel weary and burdened? It wasn't until i read this verse, and pondered on it, that I actually realised that sometimes, I'm incredibly weary. With everything that goes on in life, it seems almost 'normal' to be pulling a cartload of stress and worry around with us. Yet this isn't what Jesus has planned. We shouldn't 'yoke' or attach ourselves to those things, but instead, slip on his yoke. His yoke isn't going to make you tired and weary, in fact, it'll refresh you. The Message says, 'I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you' - what a promise! It's almost as if you are going to be pulling his cart, but he'll be there at the back, sleeves rolled up, giving it a huge push from behind!

The second part of this verse that really spoke to me was 'you will find rest for your souls'. The word rest here, in the Amplified bible says, "relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet". When was the last time that we rested in the blessed quietness of the Lord? Today, whilst attempting to do so, I really felt God saying that this verse was for all of us. In Him, you can find

…rest for your finances
…rest for your burdens
…rest for your friendships
…rest for your health
…rest for your souls!

I'd invite you to simply tell God what needs some relief and refreshment, and see that he'll live up to his words - you will find rest!