“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” - Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV).
Our leading verse is drawn from a momentous period soon after Nehemiah had rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem against fierce opposition. Once the Israelites had assembled back from their long years of exile, Ezra, the teacher of the Law, took out the Book of Moses, to remind them of God’s promises. Many were so shaken that they began to weep. But “.. Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep” (Nehemiah 8: 9).
Out of exile the Israelites were then instructed to put up temporary shelters. “The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great” (vv 17).
The Israelites had much reason to celebrate. In their years of exile, many must have lost hope that this day would ever come. But here it was. Moved to weep, Nehemiah, who had much to do with their return, reminded them that the “joy of the Lord” is their strength.
The joy of the Lord is indeed our strength! Whereas theirs was a situation of reunion, our circumstances may be different. In these days of the pandemic many are grieving from burdensome loss. These are troublesome days that often leave many people dejected. Sad news which are never in short supply these days have all the tendency to sap the spirit.
But if anything the Lord desires us to be joyful. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The one thing any believer must be sure of is that enemy, Satan, literally hates seeing the followers of Christ filled with joy and hope. This is why King David writes, “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD” (Psalm 27:6). Today, be joyful.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I rise up with a song of joy in my heart, for you have been so good to me, and may your name be praised, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
Related upcoming events
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06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
