Nehemiah 8:10b - The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength.
Nehemiah 8:10b - The Joy Of The Lord Is Your Strength.
Nehemiah 8:10b (NIV) Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is
your strength.
The joy of the Lord is the joy that springs up in our hearts
because of our relationship to the Lord. It is a God-given gladness
found when we are in communion with God. [Nelson SB]
After hearing the Book of the Law, the Israelites wept
because they realized how far they had strayed from God. Instead of
chastising them further, Nehemiah gave them hope. This was not a sad day;
this was a holy day to celebrate. God was working in their hearts.
"Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"
We can learn a few important lessons from this Old Testament
scene: (1) God's Word is powerful and helps us see ourselves as we
really are--sinners who need to turn from our sin back to God. (2)
Seeing ourselves as we really are is pretty depressing at times. We
often can feel like failures. No joy there. (3) God never leaves us in
our guilt and shame! Once we have turned back to him, he forgives
and restores our relationship with him.
God's love and forgiveness are great cause for joy. At times
in your Christian life, you will stray from God. During those
times, turn to the Lord and tell him you're sorry. Then wipe your eyes
and be joyful. God has work for you to do! The joy of the Lord is
your strength! [The One Year Bible for New Believers re Neh. 8:9-11]
The powerful exposition of the Word of God can bring deep
conviction of sin. But repentance must not degenerate into a self-centered
remorse but must issue into joy in God's forgiving goodness (cf. 2 Cor
2:5-11). [Expositors Bible Commentary]
The people wept openly when they heard God's laws and realized
how far they were from obeying them. But Ezra told them they should
be filled with joy because the day was holy. It was time to
celebrate and to give gifts to those in need. Celebration is not to be
self-centered. Ezra connected celebration with giving. This gave those in need
an opportunity to celebrate as well. Often when we celebrate and
give to others, we are strengthened spiritually and filled with joy.
Enter into celebrations that honor God, and allow him to fill you with
his joy. [Life Application SB]
Handel's masterpiece, The Messiah, has inspired millions
through the centuries. Few know, however, that George Frederick Handel
composed The Messiah in approximately three weeks. The music literally
came to him in a flurry of notes and motifs. He composed feverishly,
as if driven by the unseen Composer. It is also little known that
Handel composed the work while his eyesight was failing or that he was
facing the threat of debtor's prison because of outstanding bills. Most
people find it difficult to create under stress, especially when
physical or financial problems are the root of that stress. And yet,
Handel did.
He credits the completion of the work to one thing: joy. He
was quoted as saying that he felt as if his heart would burst with
joy at what he was hearing in his mind and heart. It was joy that
compelled him to write, forced him to create, and ultimately found
expression in the "Hallelujah Chorus."
Handel lived to see his oratorio become a cherished
tradition. He was especially pleased to see it performed to raise money for
benevolent causes.
When joy is present, Jesus Christ is expressed. [God's Little
Devotional Bible]
Mother Teresa advised, "The best way to show our gratitude to
God is to accept everything with joy. Never let everything so fill
you with sorrow that you forget the joy of Christ risen."
She instructed others as if joy were a matter of the will -
and she was very practical about it. "Being happy in Jesus means
loving as he loves, helping as he helps, giving as he gives, serving as
he serves, rescuing as he rescues, being with him twenty-four
hours, touching him in his distressing disguise."
Jesus' "distressing disguise" - a phrase Mother Teresa often
used - describes people who are wretched and abandoned, and perhaps
obnoxious.
Does all this sound grim and not happy at all? Here's what
Malcolm Muggeridge said of Mother Teresa and her sisters:
Their life is tough and austere, yet I never met such
delightful, happy women, or such an atmosphere of joy as they create. Mother
Teresa, as she is fond of explaining, attaches the utmost importance to
this joyousness. The poor, she says, deserve not just service and
dedication, but also the joy that belongs to human love. This is what the
sisters give them abundantly.
Andrew Greeley had a similar reaction to meeting Mother
Teresa: "She was the happiest human being I ever met."
Mother Teresa herself said, "Cheerfulness is indeed the fruit
of the Holy Spirit and a clear sign of the Kingdom within."
She was determined to be happy in the Lord despite feelings
of emptiness - a paradox worth contemplating. She warns against
being preoccupied with the future. "There's no reason to do so," she
writes. "God is there."
She also warned against the longing for money that can bring
endless "needs" and dissatisfaction. In this regard, she was far beyond
most of us. "Poverty makes us free," she said to her sisters. "That
is why we can joke and smile and keep a happy heart for Jesus."
Father, please enable me to experience the joy you offer.
Help me to act and think in ways that generate your cheerfulness - in
step with your Holy Spirit, no matter what my feelings might be.
Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your
strength! Nehemiah 8:10, NLT [The One Year Book of Encouragement by Harold
Myra]
The greenest grass is found wherever the most rain falls. So
I suppose it is the fog and mist of Ireland that makes it "the
Emerald Isle." And wherever you find the widespread fog of trouble and
the mist of sorrow, you always find emerald green hearts that are
full of the beautiful foliage of the comfort and love of God.
Dear Christian, do not say, "Where are all the swallows? They
are all gone-they are dead." No, they are not dead. They have simply
skimmed across the deep, blue sea, flying to a faraway land; but they
will be back again soon.
Child of God, do not say, "All the flowers are dead-the
winter has killed them, so they are gone." No! Although the winter has
covered them with a white coat of snow, they will push up their heads
again and will be alive very soon.
O believer, do not say that the sun has burned out, just
because a cloud has hidden it. No, it is still there, planning a summer
for you; for when it shines again, it will have caused those clouds
to have dropped their April showers, each of them a mother to a
sweet mayflower.
Above all, remember - when God hides His face from you, do
not say that He has forgotten you. He is simply waiting for a little
while to make you love Him more. And once He comes, you will rejoice
with the inexpressible "joy of the Lord" (Neh. 8:10). Waiting on Him
exercises your gift of grace and tests your faith. Therefore continue to
wait in hope, for although the promise may linger, it will never come
too late. Charles H. Spurgeon [Streams In The Desert By Cowman]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Trust Me and don't be afraid, for I am your Strength and
Song. Think what it means to have Me as your Strength. I spoke the
universe into existence: My Power is absolutely unlimited! Human
weakness, consecrated to Me, is like a magnet, drawing My Power into your
neediness. However, fear can block the flow of My Strength into you.
Instead of trying to fight your fears, concentrate on trusting Me. When
you relate to Me in confident trust, there is no limit to how much I
can strengthen you.
Remember that I am also your Song. I want you to share My
Joy, living in conscious awareness of My Presence. Rejoice as we
journey together toward heaven: join Me in singing My Song. (Isa. 12:2,
3; Psa. 21:6) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
I am your strength and shield. I plan out each day and have
it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. I also provide
the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing
your energy level and wondering about what's on the road ahead,
concentrate on staying in touch with Me. My Power flows freely into you
through our open communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you
will have strength to spare.
Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your
Shield. But unlike inanimate armor. I am always alert and active. My
Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and
unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare which is the best
security system available. I am with you and I'll watch over you wherever
you go. (Psa. 28:7; Mat. 6:34; Psa. 56:3, 4; Gen. 28:15) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
Let Me fill you with My joy and peace. They flow into you as
you sit quietly in My Presence, trusting Me in the depths of your
being. These blessings are essential for nourishing your soul. The Joy
of the Lord is your strength, so don't neglect this delightful
gift. It is for all times and all circumstances, though sometimes you
have to search for it. You also need My Peace at all times, and I
bestow it on you freely as you trust in Me.
Remember that I am the God of hope. The hope I offer is not
wishful thinking. It is absolutely certain, even though it refers to
things not yet fully realized. It is utterly secure because I Myself
obtained it through My finished work on the cross. This hope is the
foundation of the Joy and Peace you find in Me. No matter how hard your
life may be at this time, you have full assurance that endless
delight awaits you in heaven, where I have prepared a place for you. As
you ponder this glorious truth, you can enjoy hope that overflows by
the Power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13; Neh. 8:10; John 14:2, 3)
[Jesus Today by Sarah Young]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Remember that prayer is the source of your strength. A worker
cannot gain success while he hurries through his prayers and rushes
away to look after something that he fears may be neglected or
forgotten. He gives only a few hurried thoughts to God; he does not take
time to think, to pray, to wait upon the Lord for a renewal of
physical and spiritual strength. He soon becomes weary. He does not feel
the uplifting, inspiring influence of God's Spirit. He is not
quickened by fresh life. His jaded frame and tired brain are not soothed
by personal contact with Christ.
"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall
strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." "It is good that a man
should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." Psalm
27:14; Lamentations 3:26. There are those who work all day and far into
the night to do what seems to them must be done. The Lord looks
pityingly upon these weary, heavy-laden burden bearers and says to them:
"Come unto Me, . . . and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. {7T
243}
EXCELLENT SERMON ON THIS PASSAGE BY PASTOR IVAN BLAKE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7G6mKKvNug&feature=youtu.be
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT:
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Power of the Gospel Testimonies:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUVyxqAV3-Y&feature=youtu.be
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Prophecies Decoded Sermon Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Guides:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Or Send Request for Bible Studies to Fred Gibbs at:
fggibbs@aBible.com
