His Joy Is Our Joy

We all desire Joy. In fact, we’re designed to seek Joy. Who doesn’t love a celebration of joyful marriage, the birth of a child or a completed project. We find joy in a good book, a great movie or winning The Ashes in Test Cricket.
But, in so many areas, joy simply does not last. It seems elusive and the more we try to attain it, the more frustrating life seems to become. It’s so easy to substitute pleasure for joy.
“Looking for life without God, we find death; grasping for freedom outside the law, we trap ourselves in Satan's snares; pursuing pleasure, we lose the gift of joy.” (Our World Belongs to God - Christian Reformed Church in North America.)
Joy is not baseless emotion – It’s SOLID: When Truth is told; hearts are joyfully changed, and joy-filled actions are enabled. Joy is founded on Truth; Truth sets us free.
In Ezra and Nehemiah’s day the people were confronted again with the truth, beauty, holiness and joy of the LORD; they rejoiced!! But it was not long before the people's joy faded away once again...
How is our story different?