Ezra told the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; mourn not nor weep”, then he said, “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.”
Notice, the Lord defines a ‘holy day’ as a day of joy! Dead religion defines a holy day as a day of silence, of tears and of solemnness… the bible tells us that there is JOY in the presence of Jesus – in fact, the JOY anointing is evidence that you are in the presence of Jesus. Depression, sorrow and solemnness is evidence that you are in the presence of darkness.
The joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold! Kingdom, New Covenant joy is a protective fortress… the enemy’s arrows cannot penetrate the fortress of joy!
Some may say, “but I do not FEEL joyous, I feel stressed and I feel heavy” – Joy can only be described as a feeling when your soul is prospering – a prosperous, whole, healed soul ‘feels’ joy, regardless of circumstances… however, if a person is wounded or broken hearted, then they are not going to ‘feel’ joy in challenging times.
If you do not ‘feel’ joy in the presence of Jesus, then press into His presence, and then put on joy by faith! How do I do that? You press into the presence of Jesus by worshipping Him, and then you declare by faith, “I am in Your presence Jesus, I receive joy from Your presence - I put on JOY by faith, in Your precious Name!” – Then, smile by faith… then laugh by faith, then praise by faith, and then declare again, , “I am in Your presence Jesus, I receive joy from Your presence - I put on JOY by faith right now, in Your precious Name!” - Then, smile by faith, laugh by faith, then praise by faith – do this over and over until the Joy of the Lord manifests!
Fight to maintain joy… with joy will come a peace anointing, with joy will come a strength anointing, and with joy will come an anointing that covers and protects!
Holy living is joyful living, it is living the abundant life, it is living in freedom… today, by faith, 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.
Blessings on you, Nick
