Peace by Living In the Joy of the Lord
Peace by Living In the Joy of the Lord
Speaker: Pastor Lee Cummings
Date: December 14, 2025
Joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances; it’s something we can choose. In this sermon from our Prince of Peace series, Pastor Lee Cummings dives into Nehemiah chapter 8, reminding us that moving forward often means pushing through hard moments, remembering God’s faithfulness in the past, sharing laughter with others, and helping carry someone else’s load.
Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:
Day 1: Choosing to Go a Different Way
Reading: Nehemiah 8:9–12
Devotional: The Jewish people stood surrounded by the rubble of their past—broken stones, shattered walls, and painful memories. When Nehemiah told them to “go your way,” his words were not dismissive—they were liberating. He was inviting them to make a decisive choice: to step out of the prison of pain and move toward joy. You may find yourself standing in your own rubble today—broken relationships, deferred dreams, or unexplainable loss. Joy isn’t found by waiting for circumstances to change. It’s found by choosing to move toward God in the middle of them. What pain or fear do you need to leave behind today in order to walk toward joy?
Day 2: Remembering the Goodness of God
Reading: Psalm 103:1–5
Devotional: “Eat the fat,” Nehemiah declared—enjoy the best parts and remember God’s goodness. In ancient Israel, the fat was the choicest portion of the sacrifice, set apart for God. When darkness threatens to overwhelm us, we must intentionally remember the “fat”—those unmistakable moments when God showed up. These are the moments with no explanation except God: the healing, the provision, the open door, the relationship that changed everything. Create your own altar of remembrance. What four or five “stones” can you stack—specific moments when God proved faithful?
Day 3: Finding Your Laughter Again
Reading: Proverbs 17:22; Psalm 126:1–3
Devotional: “Drink sweet wine,” Nehemiah instructed. Throughout Scripture, wine represents joy and gladness—the kind that transforms us from the inside out. The Bible tells us that laughter “does good like a medicine.” In seasons of spiritual warfare, sometimes the most defiant act is choosing to laugh. When the enemy has thrown everything at you to steal your joy, finding humor, spending time with people who make you laugh, or allowing yourself moments of levity is not frivolous—it’s powerful. Who in your life brings you laughter? When was the last time you laughed until your sides hurt? Don’t underestimate the spiritual power of laughter. Find it again. Fight for it.
Day 4: Bearing Burdens Together
Reading: Galatians 6:1–5; John 1:14–18
Devotional: Nehemiah concludes with a final instruction: “Send portions to others.” The pathway to joy includes helping others find theirs. Christmas reveals this truth beautifully. Jesus saw humanity crushed under the weight of sin, shame, and separation from God. He didn’t send instructions from a distance—He came near. He took on flesh and bore our burden all the way to the cross. Someone around you is carrying a load too heavy to bear alone. They may feel lonely, overwhelmed, grieving, or unseen. A simple act—a text, a phone call, an invitation, a visit—could be the very thing that helps them breathe again. Who needs to know they are seen, known, and cared for this Christmas season?
Day 5: The Strength of His Joy
Reading: Romans 14:17–19; Philippians 4:4–7
Devotional: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” These words echo through history and reach us still today. The kingdom of God is not built on perfect circumstances or external celebration—it is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is not happiness dependent on what’s happening around us. Joy is the settled confidence that God is good, God is present, and God is faithful. Joy is the residue of relationship with Jesus, the Prince of Peace. When you draw near to Him, you draw near to the source of joy itself. How will you actively choose joy today, and what does it look like to let His joy be your strength?