His Joy Will Give you Strength

January 01, 2026

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV)

By the grace and mercy of God we have made it to see a new year. Despite our trials and challenges of 2025 God has given us a new day and a new year. For many of us we will set goals and make resolutions for this new year, and for some of us we will not stick to those things that we have committed ourselves to, and for others we will be focused on making those goals a reality. No matter what we set out to do this year and what we accomplish and what we don’t, we should be determined that we will have joy all year long. The Scripture reminds us that, the joy of the Lord is our strength. I encourage you today to keep the joy of The Lord in your heart, soul, and mind, as His joy will give you the strength to make it through every challenge you face this year. Be determined that nothing or no one is going to steal your joy as you will need your joy to navigate the roads of 2026. I am determined that through it all I will keep the joy of The Lord in my heart, because I know that His joy is my strength. Since I will not allow anything or anyone to steal my joy this year, I am certain, “It’s My Year To Get My Thing From My God!”

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for allowing me to see not just a new day but also a new year. Lord grant to me your peace, love and joy throughout this year. I know that your joy working in my life is going to give me the strength I need to make it through all I face. I love you Lord. In Jesus Name Amen.

Be Inspired, Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue, Pastor
Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church
Mount Vernon, NY