THE JOY OF THE LORD

May 26, 2022

Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joyH2304 of the LORD is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

8:10–12 the joy of the LORD is your strength. The event called for a holy day of worship to prepare them for the hard days ahead (cf. 12:43), so they were encouraged to rejoice. The words they had heard did remind them that God punishes sin, but also that God blesses obedience. That was reason to celebrate. They had not been utterly destroyed as a nation, in spite of their sin, and were, by God’s grace, on the brink of a new beginning. That called for celebration.

MacArthur Study Bible

The people of Israel had abandoned giving their affection to their first Love and had even worshiped false gods. They had prostituted themselves to other things and matters instead of worshiping the one true God. They were feeling guilty because they had placed people, things, and idols above God. They had returned from captivity and were seeking the Lord and His forgiveness for their iniquities. They needed restoration and reunification. Ezra read from the Book of the Law continuously all morning, and the people attentively and reverently listened. As they were hearing him read, the weight of everything they had done that was against the Law of the Lord became painfully clear, and they wept. Nehemiah encouraged them to focus on the fact that they had come back to being instructed and had returned to their first Love and sustenance. He told them not to be completely downcast or utterly depressed. Their jubilation would come from bringing pleasure to the Lord and would empower them to walk in divine purposes.

It takes divine power and conviction every morning for me to get up, being “bed-found.” I have altered the more common term “bed-bound” because it sounds so negative, as if I were shackled to the bed! I much prefer “bed-found” because my bed is where you will find me much of the time. Because of who God is in me, I have influence outside these four walls even though, for the moment, I am within this room most of the time. As far as God is concerned, these four walls do not define me, nor do they confine me. This 942-square-foot apartment could only confine me if I didn’t choose to obey the purpose God designed for me.

God created you to be YOU specifically. Have you sought the Lord about your own purpose? Are you walking in that purpose daily to bring joy to the Lord?

Father, help us to draw strength from pleasing You. Infuse us with the power needed to fulfill Your purposes for us. Let us find our joy in worshiping and obeying You.