Global Church of the Nazarene DAY 30 OF 40 - Better Together Through Prayer And The Word
Nehemiah 8:9-12
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved." 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
DAY 30 – FINDING JOY AND STRENGTH IN GOD’S WORD
As the Israelites listened to the words from the Book of the Law and understood the meaning of what was being read, they had an unexpected reaction…
SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 8:9 Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, “Today is holy to Yahweh your God. Don’t mourn, nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared; for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved; for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.”
11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, “Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be grieved.”
12 All the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.
Why would all the people be weeping? Why were they mourning and grieving? What if you had been in exile for years and had not heard God’s Word during that time, and you realized that there were laws you had not kept or shared with your children? Could their weeping be in response to their negligence and feeling that God was displeased with them?
Then in the midst of your sorrow you hear Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites say to you, This day is sacred (holy) to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep…Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks…Be still, for this is a sacred day…Do not grieve…for the joy (gladness) of the Lord is your strength. It is time to…
Party! Celebrate with great joy! You are now home! You have heard God’s Word again! And most of all, you understand what God is saying through His Word! Rejoice! Remember, it is the joy of the Lord that is your strength!
LIFE APPLICATION: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In another place Paul write… Be joyful always…
What are you hearing from the Lord today about the joy in your life or lack of joy? The dwelling place of the Lord is the place of joy and gladness. May God’s Word bring you joy and strength as you faithfully search His Book of Treasures! Restore to me the joy of your salvation!
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