for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
It is interesting that Maclaren's exposition of this verse starts with statement that Judaism is a religion of gladness.
It really is.
Even the weekend of Jesus' crucifixion was a festival weekend.
Our faith is really not that kind of solemn, zen, ohmmm.. faith.
Our faith- the Subject of our faith, is one which is full of gladness.
We revolves around this God who dances and sings over us!
Oh.. and not only that.
He could have just appeared with all this glory and battalion of angels before us.
Surely we would have believed. Yet He chose a different way.
He chose to woo us. Quite a Lover.
We have every reason to be flattered,
to have that silly smile on our face at any random time at any given place and situation
whenever we think of this God of us.
And yes.. Jesus.
This Savior of us certainly has a thing or two for party.
His first miracle was at a wedding party.
Something to do with treating everyone with vintage wine.
And when He talks about His reunion with us (coming soon!),
yeah.. He has prepared a grand feast to celebrate that reunion.
I am someone who can easily be clouded with negative thoughts and stuff.
That's the problem with melancholic introvert being.
But I am learning to dig deep into this joy.
When I focus on Jesus, on Who He is and who I am in Him..
the gladness naturally just fill my heart.
on some bad days when I feel like total sh*t..
that joy truly restores my strength.
We can always make a choice.
Whether to sulk or to remember this God we know.
Whether to throw tantrum or to start tapping our feet.
One thing for sure.. His hand is stretched to you now.
"Shall we... dance?"
It is interesting that Maclaren's exposition of this verse starts with statement that Judaism is a religion of gladness.
It really is.
Even the weekend of Jesus' crucifixion was a festival weekend.
Our faith is really not that kind of solemn, zen, ohmmm.. faith.
Our faith- the Subject of our faith, is one which is full of gladness.
We revolves around this God who dances and sings over us!
Oh.. and not only that.
He could have just appeared with all this glory and battalion of angels before us.
Surely we would have believed. Yet He chose a different way.
He chose to woo us. Quite a Lover.
We have every reason to be flattered,
to have that silly smile on our face at any random time at any given place and situation
whenever we think of this God of us.
And yes.. Jesus.
This Savior of us certainly has a thing or two for party.
His first miracle was at a wedding party.
Something to do with treating everyone with vintage wine.
And when He talks about His reunion with us (coming soon!),
yeah.. He has prepared a grand feast to celebrate that reunion.
I am someone who can easily be clouded with negative thoughts and stuff.
That's the problem with melancholic introvert being.
But I am learning to dig deep into this joy.
When I focus on Jesus, on Who He is and who I am in Him..
the gladness naturally just fill my heart.
on some bad days when I feel like total sh*t..
that joy truly restores my strength.
We can always make a choice.
Whether to sulk or to remember this God we know.
Whether to throw tantrum or to start tapping our feet.
One thing for sure.. His hand is stretched to you now.
"Shall we... dance?"
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