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THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH

Text: Nehemiah 8
14 January 2018

A TIME OF GREAT SORROW

One of the darkest patches in the history of ancient Israel was the time when they were sent into Captivity for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11). In the land of Babylon, the children of Israel realised the folly of their ways. They would never worship and idol again!

RETURNING TO THE LAND OF ISRAEL

After they had completed their 70 years, some made their way back to Israel. They wanted to rebuild the Temple of the Lord that had been destroyed by the Babylonians. The children of Israel returned to a land that had been devastated. They would need to rebuild their country from scratch!

The people had lived in exile for so long that they had virtually forgotten the Word of the Lord. Ezra the scribe was one of the returnees. He was asked to read from the Scriptures. It had been so long since they had worship like this. The people wept as they heard the ancient Scriptures! Sadness engulfed the people as they listened to the Scriptures read to them.

For all the people wept

When they heard the words of the Law.     Nehemiah 8:9

FINDING STRENGTH

The need for the hour was strength and not tears. Nehemiah arose and addressed the people with these words.

Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,

And send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;

For this day is holy to our LORD.

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 

 And all the people went their way to eat and drink,

To send portions and rejoice greatly,

Because they understood the words that were

Declared to them.     Nehemiah 8:10, 12 

  1. The returnees were encouraged to celebrate

a) This was a great time of worship

b) They were able to understand the message that was brought to them by Ezra

c) They were encouraged to do the following: –

i) To enjoy the festive food

ii) To share what they had with others who did not have anything 

  1. They were encouraged to find their strength in the Lord

a) They found joy through understanding the Scriptures

b) This joy was able to give them strength

c) This strength was given by the Lord

A SPECIAL CHALLENGE IN THE NEW YEAR

Let us find strength to cope with life through understanding the Scriptures. With understanding will come the joy of the Lord. In turn, this joy will give strength!