Joy in His Word

Then he said to [the Israelites], “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. (Nehemiah 8:10)

I had a pastor who had a vision once for a great sermon series about the state of the church based on the book of Nehemiah. To provide context, Nehemiah is part of the exiled from occupied Israel/Judah. He is in service to the king as cupbearer (an important job because your assignment is to ensure his wine hasn't been tampered with). 

As Nehemiah learns of the condition of the once beautiful city of Jerusalem, his countenance falls and his sadness is apparent to the king. The king is almost fatherly to his servant and permits him to go to Jerusalem to see the state of the city. Nehemiah is eventually made governor of the province and begins to rebuild the city, walls first.

He is met with opposition from those who preferred Jerusalem torn down (enemies of the Persian king he serves). In spite of all of this, Nehemiah's zeal is not broken, and he continues until he gets to a point where, with exiles returned, the Word of God is read at the square, near the center of the city. The hearing of God's Word for the first time in a really long time brings joy to the hearts of its hearers.

Nehemiah, who is speaking at this moment in 8:10, says to enjoy the joy of the moment.

We, as his church, can learn from the past as written in Nehemiah. First, we should never grow weary of hearing the Word of God, nor take it for granted. The enemies of God delight in our apathy. Secondly, like the ruined physical nature of the city of Jerusalem, we should assess where our church is spiritually from time to time. If it resembles Jerusalem figuratively, we should seek God's Word at the center of the church and pray for his guidance and wisdom to grow the desire through his Spirit in the hearts of men and women. The remnant grew in Israel over due time. Finally, we should not fear. Joshua 1:9 is a great reminder of that:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Christ himself reminds us of his eternal presence with his church in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Pray with me: Good and gracious Father, a bruised reed you will not break, a smoldering ember you will not snuff out. We give thanks for your strength in our moments of weakness. Keep us faithful to you and your Word for generations to come. Help us to find joy in hearing your Word daily and to finding ways to share the Word with others. In your Son's name, Amen.