Joy In Understanding
There is no comparison to receiving a revelation from God's word. I feel humbled each time He opens my spiritual eyes and allows me to grasp the meaning of what's been inscribed for centuries. No matter how simple the lesson may be, it's matchless in its significance. This happened to me yet again.
I have the opportunity to speak to amazing teens each week in the local body I serve. If you would have told me that God was designing a plan that would intel additional purpose in my calling, transitioning my passion in a different form of ministry to ultimately place me in the position to serve as a youth pastor at this present time (or any time), I would have laughed, disagreed with your assessment, and emphatically verbalized the word, "Never!" I did say that word several times and argued with God when He began to deal with me regarding this shifting. Well, as I said, I have the opportunity to speak to teens each week.
As I prayed for His direction in the word He desired spoken to our teens this week, I felt as though He wanted me to deal with joy. He led me to the familiar portion of Nehemiah 8:10, "for the joy of the Lord is your strength." I've always struggled somewhat with that verse because I could not comprehend what it truly meant - until now. When I went back and read verses 1-12 of chapter 8, I finally got it; revelation, if you will.
Chapters 1-7 of Nehemiah share the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem. This of course is how we are most familiar with Nehemiah in fulfilling his call of God to leave Persia, return to his people in Jerusalem, and rebuild the protective wall. Chapter 8 begins the rebuilding of the covenant between God and His people. There was a sense of renewal and excitement from all that had taken place. In that rejuvenation from rebuilding, the people gathered together and asked Ezra, the priest, to read the Book of the Law of Moses. In this gathering, I saw for the first time a glimpse of the first Church in Acts at a time of around 423 BC.
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. - verse 5 (NIV)
This shed light on the tradition of many ministers asking the congregation to stand for the reading of the Word that I have been a part of in my lifetime. The difference, Ezra didn't need to ask. The people stood when he opened the book.
Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!"Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. - verse 6
Being raised in a pentecostal church, this sounds very familiar. There was outward expression of worship in agreement with the recognition and praise given to God by the leading minister, Ezra. It's a totally different experience for me when there is silence in a service during the delivery of the Word. In verses 7-8, we discover another example of what The Church will be in Acts. The Levites created what we know today as small groups for the purpose of explaining the Law while they were gathered together. They made sure everyone understood what was being taught. This is a vital element in discipleship that unfortunately gets overlooked in the Church today. And this is the key to attaining and maintaining joy.
After the Law (Word of God) had been received and understood, the people had to be instructed not to mourn or weep (verse 9). The power of conviction had gripped their hearts and their immediate response was that of sorrow. God, however, wanted them to realize they were restored and forgiven. He didn't want them to dwell on their sins. Sound familiar? The people were instructed to celebrate with food, drink, and share with those who were unprepared in fellowship instead of grieving (verse 10-11). Oh, how He loves us! He's always desired communion with His people. He would display that passion through The Word, who is Jesus, according to John 1:1 in the greatest act of love for reconnection through His ultimate sacrifice.
So, how did the people leave this gathering rejoicing and attaining strength in the "joy of the Lord?" The end of verse 12 is the revelation, "they now understood the word that had been made known to them." They understood the Word! The understanding of who He is, who we are, and our relationship with Him brings true joy. The joy (understanding) of the Lord (the Word) is your strength. You are ultimately responsible for making the choice to receive and believe in the Word. Don't distort the power in this message of verse 10 by replacing "joy" with "happiness." Happiness is a result of life - changeable. Joy is a choice of Life - continual.
I have the opportunity to speak to amazing teens each week in the local body I serve. If you would have told me that God was designing a plan that would intel additional purpose in my calling, transitioning my passion in a different form of ministry to ultimately place me in the position to serve as a youth pastor at this present time (or any time), I would have laughed, disagreed with your assessment, and emphatically verbalized the word, "Never!" I did say that word several times and argued with God when He began to deal with me regarding this shifting. Well, as I said, I have the opportunity to speak to teens each week.
As I prayed for His direction in the word He desired spoken to our teens this week, I felt as though He wanted me to deal with joy. He led me to the familiar portion of Nehemiah 8:10, "for the joy of the Lord is your strength." I've always struggled somewhat with that verse because I could not comprehend what it truly meant - until now. When I went back and read verses 1-12 of chapter 8, I finally got it; revelation, if you will.
Chapters 1-7 of Nehemiah share the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem. This of course is how we are most familiar with Nehemiah in fulfilling his call of God to leave Persia, return to his people in Jerusalem, and rebuild the protective wall. Chapter 8 begins the rebuilding of the covenant between God and His people. There was a sense of renewal and excitement from all that had taken place. In that rejuvenation from rebuilding, the people gathered together and asked Ezra, the priest, to read the Book of the Law of Moses. In this gathering, I saw for the first time a glimpse of the first Church in Acts at a time of around 423 BC.
Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. - verse 5 (NIV)
This shed light on the tradition of many ministers asking the congregation to stand for the reading of the Word that I have been a part of in my lifetime. The difference, Ezra didn't need to ask. The people stood when he opened the book.
Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!"Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. - verse 6
Being raised in a pentecostal church, this sounds very familiar. There was outward expression of worship in agreement with the recognition and praise given to God by the leading minister, Ezra. It's a totally different experience for me when there is silence in a service during the delivery of the Word. In verses 7-8, we discover another example of what The Church will be in Acts. The Levites created what we know today as small groups for the purpose of explaining the Law while they were gathered together. They made sure everyone understood what was being taught. This is a vital element in discipleship that unfortunately gets overlooked in the Church today. And this is the key to attaining and maintaining joy.
After the Law (Word of God) had been received and understood, the people had to be instructed not to mourn or weep (verse 9). The power of conviction had gripped their hearts and their immediate response was that of sorrow. God, however, wanted them to realize they were restored and forgiven. He didn't want them to dwell on their sins. Sound familiar? The people were instructed to celebrate with food, drink, and share with those who were unprepared in fellowship instead of grieving (verse 10-11). Oh, how He loves us! He's always desired communion with His people. He would display that passion through The Word, who is Jesus, according to John 1:1 in the greatest act of love for reconnection through His ultimate sacrifice.
So, how did the people leave this gathering rejoicing and attaining strength in the "joy of the Lord?" The end of verse 12 is the revelation, "they now understood the word that had been made known to them." They understood the Word! The understanding of who He is, who we are, and our relationship with Him brings true joy. The joy (understanding) of the Lord (the Word) is your strength. You are ultimately responsible for making the choice to receive and believe in the Word. Don't distort the power in this message of verse 10 by replacing "joy" with "happiness." Happiness is a result of life - changeable. Joy is a choice of Life - continual.
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