Sunday 01:13:13

Nehemiah 6:15-16 After 140 years since the walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed by the enemies of Israel, the walls were rebuilt in just 52 days. Nehemiah led the people to do something they never thought they could – neither did their enemies. But they worked together, as one body. Groups of people rebuilt gates. Some people carried materials. Some stood guard to protect the workers. Every day, ordinary people built the walls of Jerusalem near their homes. Ordinary people accomplished an extraordinary task. The act was so amazing that it caused their enemies to be demoralized. It was obvious that God had helped the Jews. Now, with the walls rebuilt, the people came to hear the Word of God. Nehemiah 8:1-6 Ezra reads the Law Ezra had returned to Jerusalem 13 years before Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a layman. He was not a priest or a prophet. He was a cupbearer with a vision from God to restore the city of Jerusalem. Ezra was a scribe. He would now lead the people in spiritual renewal. The people stood, raised their hands, bowed to the ground, and shouted "Amen" at the reading of the OT Law. This generation had not heard it before. Their response is beautiful. They hear the Word of God for the first time and they are changed. We hear the Bible so often, we take it for granted. We become dull to its words and immune from its teachings. We need to respond like the Jews at Ezra's reading. The Bible is about God – read it to know him better. The Bible is for us – read it to know how to respond to Him. Nehemiah 8:7-18 The people respond to the reading of the Law As Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Levites taught the people the Law, the people began to weep. Perhaps this is because they understood how far they were from keeping God's law and they were broken about it. It’s not said here, but the people are standing together after they accomplished something that can only be called an act of God. They went from being a defeated, defenseless, people; living in a shameful and dangerous situation to being defended and secure by an act of their God. They must have felt abandoned by God. They were routed by three different enemies. There people were carried off in captivity. Most recently, their leaders and skilled laborers had been taken. But God had not abandoned them. This was the first sign in a couple of hundred years that God was still for them. The Law was read, and they begin to weep. But their leaders tell them that this is a time for celebration. v. 10 Nehemiah says something beautiful and profound, “The joy of The Lord is your strength." What does that mean? Think about the context. The people heard the Word of God, many for the very first time. God had revealed Himself to them – He did still care for them, he provided defense for them. He chose to reveal Himself to them in a way in which they hadn't understood Him before. Those glimpses of Him brought them to their knees with adoration for His faithfulness to His people. When we see God for Who He is and how He loves and favors us, our perspectives change, our countenance lifts, and we are strengthened by His joy. The time was the seventh month (divinely). It was time for the Feast of Tabernacles. The Jews commemorated the time when God had redeemed them from slavery in Egypt and cared for them as they lived in tents in the desert. They must have been thanking God for rescuing His people again. He cared for them during their latest exodus from foreign lands, and returned them to Jerusalem. Notice they were to send food to those who had nothing prepared. One of the best ways to overcome depression, sadness, or despair is to care for someone else. When we remember Who God is and what he has done for us. When we remember that the great and awesome God is for us, favors us, loves us. It brings joy to our lives that our troubles cannot quench. Remembering Who God is gives strength us to face our fears and to do His work. May the joy of The Lord be your strength.