Audio Sermons

Building up the Church of Christ:

The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength!

Life B-P Church Worship Service, 24^th November 2024

Text: Nehemiah 8:9-18

• God wrought a work that was greater than completing the walls of Jerusalem – reviving the spiritual life of the people of Judah.

• The aim of all God’s works is His glory. (cf. 6:16; Psalm 19:1; 1 Peter 2:9)
• There are three God-centred reasons why the people of Judah rejoiced during their spiritual revival:

1. They rejoiced because of God’s joy over them. (vv.9-11)

• The people wept when they heard the words of the Law.
• They mourned for their sins in genuine repentance.
• But they were told to stop mourning because ‘this day is holy unto the Lord.’ (vv.9-11; cf. 9:1)
• God rejoiced over their spiritual restoration, and He wanted to celebrate this day with joyful feasting. (v.10, cf. Luke 15:7,10,23)

Application: If you have wandered away from God, He wants you to return to Him in true repentance. (Cf. Psalm 51:17; John 6:37)

2. They rejoiced that they could understand God. (vv.12-15)

• Knowing the joy that God had over them, the people were now motivated to ‘make great mirth.’ (v.12)

• God wants His people to understand Him and what He delights in. (cf. Jeremiah 9:23,24)
• On the day after the revival, they studied the Scriptures to learn what God wanted them to do at that time. (v.13; cf. Leviticus 23:41-43)
• Their obedience reveals their joy in doing what pleases God. (v.15)

Application: Find joy in every opportunity to please God by obeying His Word. (Cf. 1 Samuel 15:22) To do this, you must set aside time to know God well through His Word.

3. They rejoiced over God’s goodness to them. (vv.16-18)
   

• What made this feast of tabernacles so different from the ones held in previous years was the ‘very great gladness’ of the people.
  (v.17; cf. 1 Chronicles 7:8-10; Ezra 3:1-4)
• There are four possible reasons for the people’s gladness:

⃝ They were reminded of God’s goodness in delivering them from slavery and bringing them to the Promised Land. (cf. Leviticus 23:43)

⃝ They could see God’s goodness in the recent rebuilding of the city walls and in providing homes for them to dwell in.

⃝ They were enjoying God’s goodness in giving them food from their recent harvest. (v.10)

⃝ They were having a spiritual feast from God’s Word. (v.18)

• All these blessings came from having a God who rejoices over them, because they are His workmanship through whom He is glorified.

Application: Look forward to the day when God will rejoice over us, as we experience His glorious work in our lives. (Cf. Isaiah 65:17-19)

Questions for Reflection:

1. How can the joy of the Lord help you to love Him and obey Him more?
2. How can the joy of the Lord motivate you to study His Word?
3. What reasons do you have to rejoice in God’s goodness in your life?