THIS WAS written to a people whom God had chosen for Himself, committed to them for their good and to be a vessel of goodness to others. But like an unfaithful spouse, time and time again they had rejected Him choosing others lovers. Upon hearing God’s Word and how they had behaved, it so caused great grief and mourning and hopelessness under the Burden of guilt for their sin. Yet God imparts hope. Indeed joy. For though they had broken their vows He had not forsaken them. He passionately pursues them. His loving commitment to them had not changed! And the people hear of His Grace and that the Joy of the LORD would be their strength to begin afresh!
It is the joy of restoration by God to right relationship with Himself. That gladness of heart, that inward strengthening by the LORD who passionately loves His people, pursues them for their good, and keeps all His promises made towards them, though they, we like them, have rejected Him, in pursuit of other loves. The peoples betrayal of Him doesn’t cause Him to break His vows to them. His restoring the people to right relationship with Him, forgiving them, rebuilding them from the inside, strengthening them with joy, gladness for His great mercy, His not abandoning them. His loving pursuit of the people to restore them to the place of relationship with Him. Though their sins and rebellion was great. His love for them was greater and His gifts of restoration and joy was a new beginning for them with Him.
- May you know the LORD of Joy, the Joy of the LORD today that Restores and removes the guilt and shame of sin and strengthens the heart.
- The Joy of Restoration
- The Joy of New Beginnings.
- The Joy of Peace that comes through the LORD Jesus Christ.
- The Joy of Forgiveness.
- The Joy of Reconciliation to God.
- The Joy of Knowing God keeps His Promises!
- The Joy that God God will not give up on us.
- The Joy that God will Aaccomplish His Purposes that cannot be twarted!
- The Knowledge that Joy is the Gift of the LORD to Strengthen us!
- The Strength to obey and follow the LORD with Joy.
When the people owned their sin, took personal responsibility, their hearts were broken, and were left hopeless, over what they had done, they confessed it and turned from it, there was a “But God…” of comfort as He intervened with Hope and His Word to them where He would provide joy in place of their mourning. The Joy for them was to be found in Him. The Joy that would transcend their sin and circumstances. There is Joy and Hope in Jesus sacrifice for you and me, just as there was for that people Nehemiah spoke to long ago! “The JOY of the LORD can be your and my STRENGTH” right now.
The name “Nehemiah” means “GOD COMFORTS.” God certainly used him to live up to his name as He comforted the people through Nehemiah’s words and actions. May you and me be “Nehemiah’s”who God uses to comfort His people!
May you know His Comfort and Joy today. For He is where Comfort and Joy are found!