Nehemiah 8:12 states for the “Joy of the Lord is your strength.” Strength denotes an ability to withstand an attack ( power denotes an ability to sustain one). Joy therefore cannot be an emotional state which can be overcome by the vicissitudes of life. Joy is an impenetrable ontological (being) reality whereby we align our hearts with the Lord’s heart who is immutable and does not change (Hebrews 13:8) so that when the tides of life begin to oscillate we will be able to withstand the onslaught and say with King David (Israel) I- shall- not- be- moved (Psalms 16:8). We know that we are living in this reality when we can look evil and evil people in the face and respond, I will not be miserable because you are miserable, I will not hate because you hate, I will not live in a selfish manner because you do, I will not abuse my gifts, my talents, my time, my spouse, my family, my friends, my health, and my faith because you choose to do so to your own destruction. I- Will- Not- Be- Moved! (Just reflecting in the early morning hour)
– Bishop Dr. Guy A. Cox