8 September 2023 - Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength

Psalm 42:6(MSG) When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you.

Isaiah 54:1-2(NLT) “Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem, you who have never been in labor. For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband,” says the Lord. “Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense!”

Isaiah 54:3(NKJV) For you shall expand to the right and to the left,

Isaiah 54:1-3(MSG) “Sing, barren woman, who has never had a baby. Fill the air with song, you who’ve never experienced childbirth! You’re ending up with far more children than all those childbearing women.“ GOD says so! “Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family.”

Galatians 4:27(NIV) For it is written: “Be glad, barren woman, you who never bore a child; shout for joy and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

Definition of desolate / childless is deserted / joyless / barren / lifeless.

Nehemiah 8:10(NIV) Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Our focus is on the outcome, not on the issue at hand.

Hebrews 12:2(AMP) focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith , who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God .

Psalm 16:11(ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 4:6-8(MSG) Why is everyone hungry for more? “More, more,” they say. “More, more.” I have God’s more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees. At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep, for you, GOD, have put my life back together.

Psalm 94:19(GWT) When I worried about many things, your assuring words soothed my soul.