The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength

Nehemiah 8:9–18 (ESV)

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. 10 Then he said to them, “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.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. 13 On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. 14 And they found it written in the Law that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, 15 and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” 16 So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. 17 And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. 18 And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.

Introduction:

As we've journeyed together through the book of Nehemiah, we've seen God move mightily among His people. From the burden placed on Nehemiah's heart to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem to the opposition faced and overcome, we've witnessed a story of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. The walls are rebuilt, the gates restored, and the people have returned to their homeland. But now, in Nehemiah 8, we see a shift from physical restoration to spiritual renewal. The people of Israel have returned not only to their city but to their God. The rebuilding of the walls was just the beginning. Now, the community gathers to hear the reading of the Law, something many of them hadn't heard in years. Hearing the Word of God is a pivotal moment in their journey that reminds them of who they are and who God is. It's a time of rediscovery, repentance, and rejoicing. Today, as we dive into Nehemiah 8:9-18, we'll explore how God brings His people from mourning to joy, from conviction to celebration, all through the power of His Word.

Transition: With that context in mind, let's examine how God uses His Word to convict us and lead us to repentance, setting the stage for joy and celebration. So, how do we do that? Verse 9 teaches that we must . . .

Embrace Conviction and Repentance (v.9)

9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.

Conviction is the inner persuasion or strong belief, brought about by the Holy Spirit, that challenges a person to recognize their sins, aligns their life with God’s truth, and calls them to repentance and transformation.

As the people listened to the reading of the Law, they were convicted. Nehemiah 8:9 tells us that all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Why were they weeping? Because they realized how far they had strayed from God's commandments. The Law, forgotten for so long, now confronted them with their sin. Scriptural Foundation: James 1:23-25 reminds us that the Word of God is like a mirror, reflecting who we truly are. The people of Israel saw themselves in the mirror of God's Word and were deeply moved by their failures. They didn't just feel sorry; they were compelled to change. This is where transformation begins—by embracing conviction and actively repenting. Conviction is not merely a feeling; it's a call to action, a divine pull that leads us back to God.

James 1:23–25 ESV

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Application: Church, when was the last time the Word of God moved you to tears? We live in a world where many are numb to sin, but the Holy Spirit uses the Word to convict us, to bring us to a place of repentance. Let us not shy away from this. Repentance is not just a one-time event but a daily practice. Allow God's Word to penetrate your heart and lead you to repentance. When was the last time you took action because of that conviction? Let's not just feel sorrow for our sins—act on it by returning to God in true repentance. This active response is the first step toward experiencing the joy of the Lord.

Transition: But church, the story doesn't end with weeping and repentance. God's Word doesn't just convict us; it also brings us to a place of joy. Let's move to our second point and see how the people of Israel transitioned from mourning to rejoicing.

Live in the Joy of Obedience (vv.10-12)

10 Then he said to them, “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.” 11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.

After the people wept, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites encouraged them to stop mourning and begin rejoicing. Nehemiah 8:10 contains a powerful truth: 'Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.' They were called to step into the joy that comes from knowing God's grace and mercy.

Three times in this passage, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites declare, "This day is holy to the Lord." But what does that mean? To say that the day is holy is to recognize that it is set apart for God’s purposes. It’s a day where God’s presence and sovereignty are acknowledged. But it’s also a day of grace—a reminder that God’s holiness does not just bring conviction but also offers restoration and joy. The people were initially weeping, convicted by their sins, but they were told not to mourn because this holy day was also a day of celebration, a day to rejoice in God’s grace and mercy. Scriptural Foundation: Psalm 30:5 says, 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.' The people's obedience to the Word led them from sorrow to joy.

Psalm 30:5 ESV

5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Let's unpack this idea of "the joy of the Lord." This joy is not just a fleeting emotion or worldly happiness; it's a deep, abiding sense of well-being that comes from knowing God and His promises. This joy sustains us, giving us strength even in difficult times. The joy of the Lord comes when we actively choose to obey His Word. It's in obedience that we find our true strength. The people had repented, and now it was time to rejoice because God's mercy was greater than their sin. Their obedience in listening to the Law was the beginning of their restoration, and joy was the result. Illustration: Picture a child who, after being disciplined, is embraced by a loving parent. The joy of being loved replaces the tears of correction. This is what the Israelites experienced—they were corrected but also embraced by God's love and grace. Application: Brothers and sisters, are you living in the joy of obedience? Have you decided to follow God's Word with your whole heart? There is joy in obedience to God. This isn't passive—it's a daily, active choice to align your life with God's will. In doing so, you'll find the strength that only His joy can provide. When we align our lives with His Word, we experience a deep and abiding joy that the world cannot give. This joy becomes our strength, especially in times of trial. Are you seeking joy? It's found in obedience to God's Word.

Transition: As we've seen, obedience to God brings us joy that strengthens us. But joy isn't the end of the journey. The people of Israel responded to this joy with a celebration of God's faithfulness. Let's now turn to our final point.

Celebrate God's Faithfulness (vv.13-18)

13 On the second day the heads of fathers’ houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law. 14 And they found it written in the Law that the Lord had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, 15 and that they should proclaim it and publish it in all their towns and in Jerusalem, “Go out to the hills and bring branches of olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as it is written.” 16 So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim. 17 And all the assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not done so. And there was very great rejoicing. 18 And day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the rule.

The chapter concludes with the people celebrating the Feast of Booths, or Sukkot. This was a significant festival where the Israelites would live in temporary shelters to actively remember God's provision during the wilderness journey. Scriptural Foundation: Leviticus 23:42-43 commanded the Israelites to observe this feast to remember that God had brought them out of Egypt and provided for them in the desert. Nehemiah 8:17 notes that the celebration had not been observed like this since the days of Joshua. It was a moment of reawakening to God's faithfulness. They weren't just recalling history—they were actively engaging in a communal celebration of God's faithfulness. This celebration reinforced the joy and strength they had in the Lord.

Leviticus 23:42–43 ESV

42 You shall dwell in booths for seven days. All native Israelites shall dwell in booths, 43 that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”

Illustration: Imagine a family gathering for Thanksgiving after being apart for years. They share stories of the past and how they got through tough times and give thanks for where they are now. The Feast of Booths was like that—a time to remember God's faithfulness and give thanks. Application: As we gather in worship, we, too, should remember God's faithfulness in our lives. Just as the Israelites built booths to remind them of God's provision, we should create memorials in our hearts to recall His goodness. Don't just remember—celebrate. Make it a practice to actively celebrate God's faithfulness in your life, in your family, and in our church. Whether through testimonies, special services, or personal reflection, let us practice celebrating God's faithfulness.

Transition: We've seen how the Israelites journeyed from conviction to joy and joy to celebration. As we reflect on their journey, let's consider how this passage calls us to respond in our own lives.

Conclusion:

As we close, remember that God's Word brings conviction, but it also brings joy and a call to celebrate His faithfulness. The joy of the Lord is indeed our strength, and in this strength, we are called to live lives of obedience and gratitude. So today, I challenge you: Embrace the conviction of the Holy Spirit, live in the joy of obedience, and never forget to actively celebrate God's faithfulness in your life. Call to Action: Let us take this message to heart and live out these truths. As we go into our week, let's actively reflect on God's Word, choose joy through obedience, and celebrate His faithfulness in every circumstance. And as we should always do, let's point to the ultimate source of our strength and joy—Jesus Christ, who has given us eternal life and abundant joy through His death and resurrection.