JOY – The Joy of The Lord Is Our Strength – Nehemiah 8:10
I’ve heard that little phrase my whole life but what circumstance did it come out of? You see the children of Israel were finally in their rebuilt cities. Nehemiah had been instructed by God to go and rebuild the walls of the cities. What a huge task that had been. Nehemiah and his men had to rebuild the walls while at the same time do battle against their enemies. But God was with them and by chapters seven and eight the walls have been rebuild and Ezra begins to read and explain the Word of God to the people. It was at this time that the people were finally realizing the full extent and consequences of their sins. They were deeply saddened to the point of grief. So in Nehemiah 8:9 Ezra tells the people: “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” Verse ten: “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions for those to whom nothing has been prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength (New King James Version). The word they had been given from the Lord was that yes He does punish sin but rewards obedience. This realization of this was cause for celebration of a new beginning.
I wonder how many I’ve fallen into a cycle of sin- confessed/sin-confessed? Ezra was challenging his people to see the joy and benefits that obedience to God’s word brings. In the book of Romans chapter two verse four we are reminded that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance, (New International Version). Every time we accept the Lord’s kindness and grace for our sin and make a sincere decision to repent and change that naturally brings us more joy. What I’m discovering is that the more I learn of God’s Word the greater number of things I that need to change. While that can sometimes seem overwhelming, if I tackle them one by one each time my joy is multiplied. Additionally it is His strengthening power that helps me truly repent bringing me even greater joy.
I remember singing an old hymn in the Church I grew up in called, Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee. The first set of lyrics were,
“Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,Op’ning to the sun above.”
When I hear these words I try to imagine truly opening my whole heart to God like a present to Him. When you really think about it what other meaningful gift than a heart full of praise could any of us bring to the God of the universe that creates and sustains everything? The song’s lyrics continue..
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,Fill us with the light of day!
As the Lord takes away the foreboding clouds of sin in our life, sadness and darkness melt away. Never leaving us empty He fills that spot with joy and gladness and His Light of day!
Constantly throughout the scriptures we are instructed to search our hearts. Certainly the Lord knew how frequently we would slip into sin and the countless ways we would offend Him. Graciously He gives us several opportunities each day to not only get rid of sin but actually to increase our joy. What a kind and loving God we serve! I challenge each of you to take several times each day to examine and meditate within your hearts. Truly you will see the clouds of sin and sadness melt away and He will FILL you with the light of day!
