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THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH

Text: Nehemiah 8
24 July 2011

(I) THE RECOGNITION OF THE LORD’S JOY AS OUR STRENGTH

“For the joy of the LORD is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10

1. Joy can bring an uplift to our spirit

2. There is a strengthening of our heart

3. The joy of the Lord can be found in His Word

4. The Lord’s joy can become our strength

(II) THE RESTORATION OF THE RIGHTFUL PLACE OF THE LORD’S WORD

1. The adverse state of the people when they returned from captivity

a) No reading of the Lord’s Word

b) Neglected their walk according to His Word

2. The resumption of the reading of the law

a) Ezra was called upon to read the Word ( Nehemiah 8:1-3 )

b) The Lord’s Word was given its rightful place

c) Great reverence was given to the Word ( Nehemiah 8:5 )

d) Worship and praise were offered ( Nehemiah 8:6 )

3. Reasoning out the Word

“So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.” Nehemiah 8:7

a) Neheniah, Ezra and the Levites helped the people to understand the law

b) Proper explanation was given

c) The sense of the law was understood

(III) THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO THE WORD OF GOD

1. The wrong response of grieving

“This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” Nehemiah 8:9

“For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow,” Nehemiah 8:10

a) Some wept and grieved

b) This was the wrong response to the Word of the Lord

c) It was a Holy day specially dedicated to the Lord

d) It was meant to be celebrated…no grief

2. The right response of finding joy in the Lord

a) Celebrated

b) Regarded as a holy day

c) Experienced the joy of the Lord

(IV) REJOICING IN THE LORD’S WORD

“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 8:12

1. Rejoicing greatly

2. Through understanding of the Lord’s Word

3. Greatly strengthened by great joy