In Nehemiah 8:10 it is written: “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (KJV). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit in us (Gal 5:22); it will naturally well up in us as we allow God to inhabit us, as we focus on him and press in to him. It just has to be expressed.

From the definitions of the words used, the bible talks of its expression in dancing, spinning, cheering and singing (Hab 3:18; Psalm 30:5), despite our outward situation (Col 1:11; James 1:2). “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation: (Hab 3;18). “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2).

In Zephaniah 3:17 the picture is of God’s joy over his people expressed in wild spinning, dancing and singing.  Get alone with him and think on the goodness of God and allow God’s joy to well up in you and be expressed, it will do you a world of good and strengthen you. “For the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10).

If we all allowed God’s joy to well up in us how our corporate praise and worship at church would change.

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