 Reflection
#2 on 'Holy Is the Lord' by Chris Tomlin
We stand and lift up our hands
For the joy of the Lord is our strength
What is your source of strength? In the song "Holy is
the Lord," Chris Tomlin sings that our strength is found
in the joy of the Lord. Chris wasn't the first to say this.
A prophet from the Bible named Nehemiah said the same thing
over three thousand years ago.
"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'" (Nehemiah 8:10, NIV).
The people had stood all day and listened to the reading
of the Law, the commands of the Lord. Have you ever heard
someone preach from the Bible and felt a twinge of guilt in
your heart? That is the conviction of the Holy Spirit. When
we hear someone preach what is right, we see where we have
been wrong. It is like seeing a bright light after you've
been in the dark. It hurts!
How do you respond? Well, many times in the past I have tried
to make excuses. Lord, I whined, this is too hard
for me. But the correct response is, OK, I repent.
I will change because You are always right, Lord.
And when we react that way, it gives the Lord great joy.
God gave us His commands--found in His Word--because He is
smarter than we are and He knows what is good for us. He knows
that if we follow His way of doing things, we will live a
more peaceful life, a happier life. So when we make a change
to follow Him, it makes Him happy. And following ways that
make Him happy are ways that will end up making us strong.
So, the next time you hear something from the Bible that
sets off that spark of conviction inside you, rejoice--don't
grieve. Repent; change your mind and your ways, and then walk
in the knowledge that God is rejoicing over you today. Think
of Him smiling down at you and let that thought give you strength.
-Suzy C.
Scripture Reference: Nehemiah
8:10
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Copyright © 2004 SolidSounds. Used with permission.
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