The joy of Yahweh is your strength! - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

Nehemiah 8:9-10 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto Yahweh your Elohim; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.

Roughly 2500 years ago, there was a special Sukkot celebration in Jerusalem. The people of Israel were exiled and dispersed all across the Babylonian empire. Later, they were given the right to return and start construction on the 2nd temple of Israel. Nehemiah 8 speaks of the special celebration that happened at that time. We read how Ezra taught the people out of the book of the law and how they responded in weeping and repentance before the Elohim of Israel.

Interestingly, Sukkot is a holiday in which the people were commanded to rejoice, yet they were weeping in repentance. And then, in verse 9, they did! Isn’t it true that joy always comes after the mourning?

The word for strength in Hebrew is ”mah-oz”. Not only does it mean strength, but it also means fortress and rock.

When we commit our lives to walking in repentance and practicing holiness, then we will live in a constant state of joy. As the Apostle Paul said, Rejoice always! In our joy we find our fortress, our rock – the stability of our lives!

Reply by Rodney D Ready on October 3, 2009 at 6:25am

The time of Deuteronomy 30 & Daniel 9. A true cry of the heart to our Abba and he does still hear. The time of blessings will be so much more powerful coming from his Heart than these 2580 years of bondage. Can we even imagine that Love that is coming? We having little tastes now but what will it be like then? Maybe even the Power of the Resurrection that is coming! We will see soon enough no matter if we leave now or at the Trumpet Blast to be gathered together in that great family reunion!

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