The Word For The Day – February 25, 2009

The Word For The Day – February 25, 2009

Nehemiah 8:10: (Amplified)
¹⁰Then [Ezra] told them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet drink, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.

How many of you know that the joy of the Lord is your strength and how many of you know how to attain that joy?

First of all, the reason the joy of the Lord is your strength is because it is His joy in the darkest circumstances that keeps you from giving up. It is His joy that enables you to speak His Word regardless of what your physical symptoms, pocketbook or other circumstances say because you know that breakthrough is right around the corner if you won’t give up.

So, how do you get this joy? It’s simple. You praise God no matter what. I’m not saying that you praise God for whatever trial you are facing. I’m saying that you praise Him for the victory you know is yours on the other side of the trial.

Why is praise so important? Well, it’s not because God has an ego problem. Praise is so important because it brings God’s presence into the situation. And the reason God has chosen praise as the way to bring Him into the situation is because Satan can’t stand it when a believer praises God.

Satan’s desire is to have that praise for himself. He was a worship leader in Heaven before he was kicked out. He got it in his head that he was better than God and should be praised himself. He wanted to be above God. He committed mutiny or treason or whatever you want to call the ultimate betrayal.

When you praise God, it makes Satan nervous and uncomfortable and he doesn’t want to be around. That’s a good enough reason right there to praise God just to get Satan to get out of your presence. But mostly, I would want to bring God’s presence into my circumstances. How great is that to have the presence of Almighty God in your life willing to help you in whatever circumstance you face? I think that’s pretty awesome!

I guess that’s about all for today! I hope this has blessed and encouraged you.  Have a blessed day and may God empower you to prosper in every area of your life.