Today’s Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10, NLT – “And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!””
Deep resounding joy, do you, have it? Do you want it? Do you need to know how to get it?
This eighth and ninth chapters of Nehemiah are a step-by-step method to find the joy of the LORD. Just as in building the wall there are materials needed and steps to take. They had just completed the wall now they were cementing their joy.
I am convinced that the steps to joy shown to us by these people are still, well, the steps to joy.
What are these steps?
1. Thy listened closely to the LORD’s Word.
2. They praised the LORD and chanted Amen! Amen! (So be it) and lifted their hands toward heaven acknowledging this word was from the LORD.
3. They bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
4. They received instruction from their teachers and understood each passage.
5. They wept and were passionate as they were overwhelmed by the Word.
6. They replaced their weeping with rejoicing in the LORD.
7. They learned that the joy of the LORD was their strength.
8. They celebrated with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them.
9. They thanked God for keeping His covenant of mercy and love with them despite their wickedness.
10. They recommitted themselves to the laws and covenants of their God.
Today’s Prayer: LORD God Almighty, thank You for Your Word. It is life, it is joy to those who hear and understand. Amen! So be Your ways. I thank You for these people, Your people who taught us the posture of prayer and the joy found there. The joy found in You LORD truly is our strength. I praise and worship You LORD. Help me to keep Your covenants and I am thankful You have kept your covenant of mercy and love despite our wickedness. Amen
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