"The Test of Joy"

 "I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity." (Ecclesiastes 2:1 KJV)

  "The Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, "Don't mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the LORD your God." For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"" (Nehemiah 8:9-10 NLT)

 Not quite sure where to start, except to go back to the beginning. When God made man, He pretty much blessed him with all that was created; including that tree, that tree he was forbidden to eat from! However! The thing which could have been a blessing, turned into a curse, because it was forbidden and yet it was present, right there in the middle of the garden! 

 The passage above, from Nehemiah, is a good example of what I am talking about. This people had been living in Babylon and really had no clue of the real words written in God's Law; but on this day, they heard the written Law for the very first time. Hearing the Law, they naturally felt cursed, weeping and mourning for they were guilty, each and every one, by the reading of God's word and His Law.

 The joy of the LORD is our strength! Yes, man's cursed tree in the middle of that garden, should have been his blessing! I know that might not hit the mark, but honoring God's one simple law, meant that he was doing that which God asked, despite his own desire or temptations! When we do this, we experience joy; and when we experience joy, we are strengthened! 

 When Jesus was preparing and praying about the cross, He was torn by the curse! It was in that moment a curse; so much so, He wept and sweet blood, being torn between the Father's will and that which He was currently feeling. When He finally accepted the will of the Father, the curse was lifted and He was full of joy, because He was doing the will of the Father! 

 From that point on, Jesus was strengthened; nothing was going to stop Him from walking in that feeling of doing something which pleased the Father! So, what is the point? Absolutely everything! Everything points to doing what pleases God; if it doesn't feel right, don't do it; see if the joy of the Lord doesn't show up and give you strength! 

 Otherwise, doing what doesn't please the Lord, will be a curse, whether you realize it or not, your guilty heart will feel cursed...

""It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands. Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the LORD'S name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."" (Isaiah 55:11-13 NLT)