"The joy of the LORD is our strength." ~Nehemiah 8:10
I read a page out of this devotional every day throughout 2020, and it helped me to realize so much. In the past, I've read devotionals about taking courage, becoming a child of God, and discovering his will for my life through prayer and patience. This devotional focused on finding joy each and every day because of who Jesus is.
Now, let me ask you a question. If I asked you to define your meaning of joy, what would you say? Being happy? Being so uplifted that nothing can bring you down? Both of those are amazing feelings. But true joy- joy that is expressed in the fruit of the spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23)- is so much more. Dr. Charles Stanley describes spiritual joy as "gladness of heart, not based on circumstances; Christ's joy within us that is manifested even in difficult and painful situations."
This kind of joy comes from knowing your security in God. Knowing that no matter what happens, no matter what kind of pain or suffering you endure, you kind find joy knowing that Jesus is so much greater than all of it.
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken" ~Psalm 55:22
There were so many days when I thought this book was being written just for me at the end of each day. When I was wrestling with something in my mind, Jesus Always held exactly what God needed me to read. That being said, it was a wonderful devotional, but I couldn't quite click with the first-person writing style, with Young writing in the perspective of Jesus. For that reason I took off one star, but I still believe that the author is very close with the Lord- I would just rather the devotional talk to me about God, but not attempt to make it from His POV.
Jesus Always assists us as seeing Jesus in a new light- not just the Son of God and our Savior, but also our true friend and king. Remember, "for even the son of man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). True friends put each other first, which is exactly what Jesus did for all of us. This book emphasizes who he is, and all that he has planned for us. For he says,
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:3).
It is in this we have our hope. It is in this we can find true joy.