Today's Reading: Ezra 6
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When God’s people enter His presence, He fills their
hearts with joy! In Ezra 6, after years of hard work, struggle and
perseverance, the Israelites finally complete the rebuilding of the Temple in
Jerusalem. Together, they dedicate it to the Lord with feasting and
thanksgiving, rejoicing that God “had made them joyful” by moving the heart of
a foreign king to aid them. This moment of joy wasn’t simply a human reaction
to the Temple’s completion but a gift from God, who delighted to pour out His
goodness upon His people as they faithfully returned to Him.
Ezra 6:22 tells us that God “made them joyful.” This
wasn’t simply a manmade emotion or human reaction, but the very work of God
pouring out upon them the joy of the Spirit. As they gathered to worship and
celebrate the Passover, their joy was evident. God didn’t just enable them to
finish the work; He blessed them with joy—a reminder that when we serve the
Lord with all our hearts, He fills us with a joy that is beyond circumstances.
Psalm 16:11 says, "In your presence there is
fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." When we
draw near to God, spending time in prayer, worship, and His Word, we experience
a deep, supernatural, unexplainable joyfulness that transcends circumstances
because it comes from being with Him.
Maybe you’ve been through a season of opposition or
struggle, feeling as though joy has been out of reach. But when we turn to God,
He renews our joy even in the most challenging times. Our joy doesn’t come from
what we’ve achieved but from His gracious hand upon us.
Let God’s joy strengthen you! Seek His presence with
an open heart, thanking Him even if the journey has been hard. When we
celebrate God’s work in our lives, He blesses us with a joy that transforms us
and encourages others.
May the Lord fill you with a joy that surpasses every
hardship, that renews you daily, and overflows to those around you. And may you
find strength and gladness in His presence today, knowing that He delights to
make you joyful.
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