Nehemiah 8:1-10

Nehemiah, the Governor, declared to his people, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

To appreciate those words, it is important to know the context in which they were spoken.

Background:

• People had been exiled, but had returned home
• The city was in ruins from their captivity
• They had rebult its fortress walls in a remarkable 50 days
• The people were called together to hear the reading of the Law
• As they heard God’s law, they were made aware of how far short of keeping it they had fallen and they wept bitterly at their failure
• Nehemiah encourages them with these words, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Today, we will look at several situations including this one to see that truth illustrated.

• The joy of the Lord is a spirit of happiness (Matthew 2:10)
  • The Magi
    • Their quest
    • Their travel
    • Their success
  • Joy in God’s leading
    • God allowed them to worship at the feet of the Savior
    • Their joy came just from the anticipation of the event
• The joy of the Lord is evident regardless of the circumstances (Psalm 30)
  • David’s illness
  • God’s deliverance
  • Joy is knowing God is present and acting no matter how difficult the situation
• The joy of the Lord is evident in the encouragement (Nehemiah 8:10)
  • Their joy came in the assurance of God’s Word
  • Their assurances comes in knowing a God who forgives
  • Encouragement in being given strength
    • Protection
    • Safety
    • Refuge

Seeing the truth of these words, we can experience the joy of the Lord in each of our daily experiences. This joy is God’s gift to us delivered by the Holy Spirit who dwells in every believer.