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But Philippians is full of joy and commands to the believers to rejoice in the Lord always. He is a constant safety and peace in our lives. They appeared to be enjoying a stroll through the woods, and though they were obviously in their retirement years, they reached us in a matter of moments. It's this: "The joy OF THE LORD is your strength.". The First 15 devotional explains that we have a great High Priest who constantly intercedes on our behalf. All of us arise each day with repeated sins. "Be Still and Know that I Am God" "Pray Without Ceasing" "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made""All Things Work Together for Good" "Do Not Fear", Movieguide Warns Parents: 'Don't Take Your Daughter to See, A Prayer to Make Praising God a Habit - Your Daily Prayer - July 13. Joy shifts our hearts to a position of worship regardless of current circumstance. Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is . He bought a ring, took Janet to a romantic restaurant, and was prepared to reinforce his proposal with the diamond. But Ill try. But those feelings never come from God. That is why, for Christs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. 8-9 James R. Davis To appreciate this message we must understand where the Israelites are standing when they are told "the joy of the Lord is your strength." In Nehemiah 8 the walls of Jerusalem But there is something lacking. After Nehemiah and Ezra led their people to rebuild Jerusalem, they had a great day of celebration, just 52 days after the work had begun. To find God is to find the fountain of all joy, so beautifully and simply put by Augustine: Following after God is the desire of happiness; to reach God is happiness itself. We participate in joy when we reach the essence of all joy: God himself. Prepare to practice the basic strokes. I am saying that it should be true of me. But why were they sorry, and why were they reminded that their strength should be found in the joy of the Lord? Instead, he said, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared. (Nehemiah 8:10) He knew that the people were now protected from invaders and that they were actively recommitting themselves to following the ways of God. After the wall had been rebuilt (7:1) and the Israelites had settled in their towns (7:73), the people gathered to hear Ezra (who was a teacher of the Law) read the Law of Moses aloud. 1) Make listening to God's word a priority, especially in a time of thanksgiving and celebration. ESV. But that wasn't good enough for Sumner. We're sorry, an error occurred. A Christian will be sorrowful that he does not enjoy the kind of sweet, constant fellowship with Christ that he ought to enjoy, and yet be rejoicing in the mercies of God. This is how we can grow together and build up the body of Christ. "Good morning my dear friends,The Bible has much to say about "joy", and how Christians are to be filled with it. I think its fair to say that many Christians dont believe God is happy. Its an insight from Randy Alcorn, in his book Happiness. Doing so is idolatry, behaving as if something else will give us more joy than God Himself. "Oh, it's a little ways on up the hill," one of them said. The church was packed. Gods song of joy over his justified children is not merely the sum of the joy we attract from him; its also the multiplication of his abundant joy exponentially expressing itself out over us. The program began with several short, humorous plays. It tells of other believers who have endured incredibly difficult trials by trusting in Gods Word. And all of them knew how tough life could be. That is a joy that could impart strength. His love leveled them then as it humbles us now, to consider the New Testament sacrifice of Gods only Son for our own personal restoration through salvation. He was always afraid he would repulse people who didn't understand. God does not expect us all to be bouncy Tiggers. But neither should we resign ourselves to be glum Eeyores (my apologies to those of you not familiar with the Winnie the Pooh stories). Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 25 Uplifting Prayers for Healing of the Body, Romans 13:4 Meaning of Verse and Simple Commentary, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. So, our joy is knowing that no matter what comes our way - whether it's personal hardship for us or our family - or maybe just the routine ups and downs and good times and bad times and plenty of strength times and exhaustion times - through it all, we have a relationship with a God whose strength is overwhelming and limitless. What is the Joy of the Lord? - Nehemiah 8:10 - Master's Hand Collection she would respond, "I am socializing two Homo sapiens into the dominant values of the Judeo-Christian tradition in order that they might be instruments for the transformation of the social order into the kind of eschatological utopia that God willed from the beginning of creation. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. Though chosen, rescued, and promised, Gods people suffered through severe consequence for their continual rejection of Him and His covenant. The ministry of the Word of God is to heal us and create in us a desire to share that healing with others. Nehemiah knew that to experience joy an inner restoration had to supersede the exterior rebuilding of the city. The Joy of the Lord is My Strength Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Feb 21, 2020 by Editor in Chief The book of Nehemiah is a unique chapter in Israel's history. 3:1; 4:4; etc.) The king has the power to force judgment, and has promised to do so. And what we do is just so simple. How do they relate to God now? In the shortest summary, the story of Ezra and Nehemiah is the story of God's people coming home after a 70-year exile and rebuilding Jerusalem. God's Word was opening their eyes to the way they had failed Him, but Nehemiah was quick to remind them of who the Lord is. You will never be spiritually stronger than your God is happy. If we do not embrace the happiness of God, we jeopardize three precious realities in our own lives. But they had been dating for seven years. Finally, Nehemiah encouraged the people to celebrate! 1:8-9). No one laughed at the first one, or at the second. (Sources: Morning Edition, National Public Radio (5-24-07) and Martin Mbugua (with assistance from Sharon Dorr), "Tearful gratitude by graduate who triumphed over disability," www.udel.edu, 5-26-07). Joy is a result of a disciplined, prioritized life guided by the Holy Spirit. Funerals come unexpectedly. It is finished.. In other words, as believers we have the choice to rejoice, and we must deliberately exercise that choice by faith in Gods Word. Nehemiah gave the theory of joy. An active choice to seek Gods wisdom in exchange for our own. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). 'The Joy of the Lord Is Your Stronghold' - Desiring God 1:4). There is a proper place for tears of repentance, of course. Perhaps it has. The people also kept themselves dedicated to remaining in Gods Word (Nehemiah 8:1). Jewish ancient custom was to remember those less fortunate than oneself during feasts. Here's the deal. 5:11-12). He wants you to think of God as a cosmic killjoy who wants to make you miserable by His many restrictive laws. Joy of the Lord Is Our Strength - Nehemiah 8:10 Meaning Explained Kim on Twitter: "Good morning my dear friends,The Bible has much to say He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference, Make a Name for Yourself - Genesis, 2 Samuel, The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength - Nehemiah 8. That doesn't mean they're professional ministers, that they've taken theology classes - nothing like that. I am speaking this prayer here in the created cosmos alongside friends and foes so that in hearing it they might be consumed with joy. Biblical joy is the result of a Christ-prioritized life. She was so taken with it that she had copied it down on a 3 x 5 card for me: "Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory." It was a cross-stitch Janet had made that simply said, "Yes.". If that is you, I would urge you to put your focus more on the things above, where Christ is seated, having procured our salvation and where we are by virtue of our position in Him (Col. 3:1-4; Heb. Joy is an emotion everyone wants but which remains elusive for many. To say this is not to encourage licentious living. Paul said that he was sorrowful yet always rejoicing (2 Cor. He spoke that day on Nehemiah 8:10, The joy of the Lord is your strength. One man in the church was so overwhelmed with the sheer force of Tsons joy in the midst of suffering that he could not hear anything after the text. John Piper tells of an afternoon that he spent with Josef Tson, a Romanian pastor who suffered under the Communists (A Godward Life, Book Two [Multnomah Press], pp. Those who returned were part of a great work of God. We find joy in the beauty of Gods creation. Nehemiah even passed up the opportunity to eat better food than his workers, instead choosing to live in the same quarters, eat the same food, and get the same job done. But how can we experience joy when the world is so full of struggle and suffering? Teach Us about Faith? Why did Nehemiah say, "The joy of the Lord is your strength?" (Nehemiah The soldiers needed proof that they were getting his books from him, so they made him sit at a table and write in each book that they found it in his house, while they took pictures of him doing this. he asked. While earthly gifts and experiences can give us joy, these pale in comparison with the greatest Gift: God Himself, whose love is poured out to us through Christ. God and His Word should be the source of great joy for the believer. 23:27-32). They had a rough past, because of the exile, and their worst days were only a few weeks behind them. They have finished rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah 8:10.the joy of the Lord is my strength.I pray you have a joyful day God bless you." 1Sa 25:8; S 2Sa 6:19; Est 9:22; Lk 14:12-14, Nehemiah 8:10 in all English translations, NIV, Story of Jesus: Experience the Life of Jesus as One Seamless Story, NIV, Verse Mapping Bible, Comfort Print: Find Connections in Scripture Using a Unique 5-Step Process, NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow Gods Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture, NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation, NIV, Thinline Bible/Journal Pack, Large Print, Leathersoft, Turquoise, Comfort Print. All rights reserved. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength (emphasis added). He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Click here for Encouraging Bible Verses/Quotes to Strengthen Your Faith. In the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, we see the Israelites returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and the city, sponsored by the rulers of Persia (Ezra 1:1-4, Ezra 6:1-12). Jerusalems walls were torn down, and the Temple of God was burned. Your Bible study. As long as we thankfully acknowledge that these good things come from Gods hand, thats proper. As you celebrate Thanksgiving, may the joy of the LORD be renewed in you. But if He is risen, and if He is coming again for His bride, even in the midst of tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword, we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us (Rom. 10:12). 5:11 [Ages Software], p. 5). #madeinkenya #iamnair." As it is with a musical instrument, it is with joy. Our joy does not rest on our being perfect, but rather on our being in Christ. Rejoicing even in our challenges strengthens us with the very power of God. Stock-market losses mean dramatic change to retirement incomes, investments, and financial security. Obviously, one single day in the gym isn't going to get the job done. . The more you practice, the better the music. The proper balance is to take our sins seriously and truly to repent of them, but then to put our focus back on Christ and our position in Him by grace. Even a great man of God like Spurgeon admits that he is dealing with a topic far beyond his ability when he comes to talk about joy in God (Charles Spurgeon, Joy in God, sermon 2550 on Rom. Joy is something you've got to practice. He was passionate about restoring the hearts of the people. And when he goes into another world, still he is happy, because that portion yet remains. The history behind the 70-year exile is very important here. For more information, see ourPrivacy Policy. Gods Word makes known to us His precious and magnificent promises (2 Pet. 3. Why would He reiterate this truth, when they sought to understand something new? Through teamwork, and by seeing the progress that was being made, the joy of the Lord became more and more evident, and in only 52 days, the walls of Jerusalem were standing strong again. 5:11; 9:2; 32:11; 33:1; 40:16; Phil. He knew a true expression of worship came from a deeper motivation than outward appearance. We can say with the Psalmist: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever (Psalm 73:26). The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27:1). 8:42. At such times, the Lord has reminded me of His beatitude, Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all manner of evil against you because of Me. If Israel is a living object lesson for the entire world - and I think it is - then this is one of the most important lessons of all. But underneath the grief is Gods abiding joy. Joyful people more easily express joy, just as God delights to rejoice over his children, because he is essentially joyful. We are made happy by having stuff, getting gifts, or feeling like we belong in a group. God communicates his majesty as beams that burn out from the solid, rocket-fuel radiance of his inter-Trinitarian joy. But all of us should be growing to know God Himself as our chief treasure. Illustration: Years ago, on the week of my 39th birthday, a friend and I decided to hike a 40-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Nehemiah was the appointed governor of the region of Judea at the time, which was then under the rule of the Persian Empire. There is a superficial kind of joy that just shrugs off sin as no big deal and goes on its happy way. No one laughed at the first one, or at the second. He was broken in his own heart and deeply changed. Rather, it is to say that when we think about how far we fall short of Gods perfect righteousness, we take refuge in Christs imputed righteousness. Are you a parent? Some forty thousand of the Jews had returned from the Babylonian captivity. God will never force anyone to come home. We should rejoice in how He chose us and called us to Himself, and in the total acceptance that we have by grace through faith in Christ. What made Jesus rejoice greatly? The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength - Simply Bible You might love your spouse, but love God more. He will take delight in you with gladness. Half an hour into our first afternoon of hiking, all efforts at denial faded away. Fellow Christians were badmouthing him. 5d; ", If you can practice joy in the midst of lean times, you'll move quickly from "surviving" to "thriving.". And that love transforms us into vow-keepers (albeit imperfectly for now). It stems from an inner strengthening from our relationship with Him. Every Valentine's Day, Tedd proposed to her. We should find such joy in the very being of God, and the fact that we are His and He is ours, that even if everything in life and life itself is stripped away, we rejoice in Him alone. We may believe that he is sometimes happy that makes sense to us. While he stays in this changeable, troublesome world, he is happy; because his chosen portion, on which he builds as his main foundation for happiness, is above the world, and above all changes. All the great feasts in Israel were a reminder of Gods abundant mercy to His chosen people in spite of their sin and failure. He uses the same ploy today. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king (Psalm 28:8). Ezra and some scribes read Gods Word to the people from dawn until noon. It was a preacher named Henry Donald Maurice Spence (18361917) who made a point I cannot forget: God is so joyous that he finds joy even in us.. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. What does the joy of the Lord is my strength means? - Christian Faith We should visit repentance as often as needed, but we should dwell in the joy of Gods grace. For this to be His longest recorded prayer carries significant weight attached to the message He was delivering. But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves(John 17:13). Ending soon! Now, the Bible comes along and says: "Practice joy! Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! A baby smiles, or laughs, and every adult who sees it smiles and laughs in return. Though chosen, rescued, and promised, God's people suffered through severe consequence for their continual rejection of Him and His covenant. Everything is geared to this simple idea, and the coaching staff knows how to create this effect better than any other team in the state. But since other people were building the wall, since there was progress on down the line, then each person was encouraged to keep laying bricks. This day is holy to our Lord. You are currently impersonating {{userSessionData.email}}. Finally, I asked the most important question of the day. Order Curriculum, Literature, and Church Supplies, by Andy Cook on Monday, January 27, 2014 at 6:00 AM. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me (13:5-6). God is essentially happy within himself. All rights reserved. Gods joy is our strength. And were all in it for the same reasonto fuel the churchs mission of making disciples. Illustration: Philip Yancey tells of a letter he received from a friend whose daughter, Peggie, was terminally ill. It remains to remind us how far we havecomeand encourages us throughout the long road of refinement we have yet to travel. Worship with other people of similar beliefs - let the team give you strength. We read our acquired happiness onto God (God will finally be happy when X, Y, and Z all go his way). Its not that Christians dont want God to be happy, its just that we are slow to understand the theology that God is always, essentially, and completely happy. They commit serious sins and just shrug it off by saying, Were under grace! But if my sin put the sinless Son of God on the cross, I dare not take it lightly. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. Why did Nehemiah say, The joy of the Lord is your strength? (Nehemiah 8:10)? Sad to say, many people disassociate joy and gladness from church. If I may be so bold, I would suggest that the famous missionary, David Brainerd, would have been better off to focus more on Christ and less on his own imperfections and sins. HOLDING FAST IN PRAYER (LUKE 18:1-8) - Facebook We should stay steeped in our study and meditation on the Bible, and share our encouragement and godly fellowship with others who are also devoted to God. His holiness and our joy go together. But the joy that were talking about is not the joy of natural temperament. Teach them to your grandchildren. After salad, entree, and dessert, it was time. It reassures you of Gods love and grace. We were exhausted, and fresh graduates of an old-school lesson: Even in tough times, you simply can't give up! Illustration: Tedd Kidd was five years older than Janet, finished college before her, and started to work in a city hundreds of miles from her. The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). The joy of the Lord, found in God Himself and in His Word, is a source of great strength for us in the most difficult trials of life. Can Loved Ones in Heaven Look Down on You? With his love, he will calm all your fears. 16:11). This is not the joy of circumstances, but rather the joy that comes from focusing on and trusting in the Lord and His salvation. Taking time each day to notice, acknowledge, and praise God for what we are grateful for will go a long way to helping us experience the strengthening joy of the Lord welling up within us. It doesnt change, fade, or expound based on anything we do or go through. The psalms are full of rejoicing and gladness in the Lord, and quite often at the most unexpected moments. We can choose to stand in the shadows or in the light. Joy is an idea that sparkles throughout the Bible. Joy cannot remain simply an abstract idea; it must be practiced in the Christian life if we are to benefit from its strengthening power. Jesus wasted no words on earth. Rejoicing in God can give us the strength to face all of lifes challenges. God will paint the picture. Joy is a tremendous source of strength. How Can We Model the Love of Jesus by Showing Compassion? For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Be with God's people. When all of Judah was taken into exile, when they were all forced to walk to ancient Persia, to what we would know as southern Iraq or northern Iran, the Bible tells us that somewhere between 4,600 and 10,000 people were taken into exile. I have not known persecution anywhere near the degree that Josef Tson has. "Why are we so successful? Our text is both a word of encouragement and a command (do not be grieved). Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matt. The Judaizers were using a subtly false message to seduce many in the churches that he had planted. We run best at the end of workouts. Is depression a sin (always, sometimes, never)? Rachel Gilson explains that "We have been secured forever because Jesus perfectly kept our end of the vows. Here are a few suggestions: 1. We were too tired to get up, but we engaged them in conversation. One particular class assignment called for Sumner's mother to go the extra mile. Sumner's mom was not aware an electronic version of the novel existed, so she re-typed the entire book into their home computer. 1:20)! "If we did believe it, wouldn't we be happier?" In the same way, God forgives us on the same deep and intimate level. The people made a great rejoicing because they understood the words which had been made known to them (8:12). Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. The apostle Paul recognizes that God is greater than what we can offer in 2 Corinthians 12:9, when God said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Trust that Gods power is stronger than what can come against you (Romans 8:31). But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. The foundation for this point is laid in 1 Timothy 1:11, where Paul extols the gospel of the glory of the blessed God. God is essentially blessed. This day is holy to our Lord. Then the coaches calculate not how fast the runners go, but how many competitors they pass at the end of the race, from mile two to the finish. Then he said to them, "Go your way. We can propel ourselves forward into this verse with everything we have physically, mentally, and spiritually and still fall short. The people of Nehemiah's day were convicted of their sin, and they wept bitterly because of it. Express gratitude for Gods gifts.Though God Himself is our highest joy, he has also given us many good gifts. But what was a surprise was the word behind the translation "strength." Virtually all modern English translations translate Nehemiah 8:10, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah was a royal cupbearer ( Nehemiah 1:11-2 :1) during the time of his people's exile in Persia, and he was. The book of Nehemiah tells a story that introduces the concept of the joy of the Lord being our strength. It tells us that God has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2 Pet. God only wants those home with Him who want to be there. 8:35, 37). God does not give us any joy outside of the joy he has in himself already. than brick and mortar. Daily Devotion: The Joy Of The Lord (Neh 8:9-12) - RayStedman.org And so the people made a great rejoicing (lit., 8:12). The dramatic change in elevation wore us down quickly. One topic they discussed was having joy in the midst of suffering. If that's a new idea for you, it's a great day to start the process. They had some community distinctives. God is my strong fortress, and he makes my way perfect (2 Samuel 22:33), Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30). Though he meet with temporal losses, and be deprived of many, yea, of all his temporal enjoyments; yet God, whom he prefers before all, still remains, and cannot be lost. Jesus strength perfects our joy. Nehemiah 8:10 The Strength of Joy - Bible Hub Gilson writes, The day God reaffirmed to them that they were still his chosen people, and he was still their God. Our confidence in God is, at times, the only strength we know. He is a mighty savior. In the New Testament, joy is the appropriate response of the believer to the good tidings of great joy which constitute the gospel (Luke 2:10) (International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia). Your family. Nehemiah then fasted and prayed, then sought and gained permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem to help rebuild it. Despite repeated instances of deliverance and provision, the people still proved faithless, so God fulfilled His promises to scatter them among the nations surrounding them first the northern tribes (2 Kings 17:6-23), then the tribe of Judah (2 Chronicles 36:17-21). The invitation to return to God is exactly that. Through those areas ofhelplessness,we find the very freedom in Christ that leads to strength and joy. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength(Mark 12:30). Would you like to learn to play the piano? Six observations about this joy: This is obvious from the fact that it is distinctly called the joy of the Lord. People in the world who do not know God can be joyful when they win the lottery or get a promotion or go on a fun trip or enjoy good health. Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.. We don't work any harder than other teams. His mother attended all his classes, faithfully taking his notes for him. Their forefathers had made some choices that cost them dearly. ASV. Three times (8:9, 10, 11) the leaders repeat to the people that they are not to weep, but rather to be joyful, because this day is holy to our Lord. This is a word of correction, which we need, too. They had built their little temple amid the ruins of Jerusalem, and resumed the worship of the Lord's house. The joy of the Lord is my strength(Nehemiah 8:10). The program had been transformed in the previous five years from good (top 20 in the state) to great (consistent contenders for the state championship on both the boys' and girls' teams). We find joy in food. It is an invitation. But be sure of this. Maybe your goal is to join a gym and get in shape. But at the end of the short psalm, he affirms his trust in the Lords lovingkindness and then states by faith, My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. In reality, several thousand people were also left behind, and the shocking reality is that the entire Jewish population was so small.