Daily interactions sap my strength. The challenges and hardships I and my friends face drain away joy. This world is not for the faint of heart.

Nehemiah encouraged the people of Jerusalem, under intense conviction as they listened to the Law of Moses read to them for the first time since returning from exile, to leave weeping behind.

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

A good lesson for me. Dwell on the Lord’s goodness. Let it bury me. Ask the Lord to infuse his joy into my soul.

From this spring of living water—ever flowing—I may draw strength.

Nehemiah 8 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Mohamed Nohassi