Where is your Joy?

Meditation from Nehemiah Chapter 12

Joy in the world's perspective is relative. That is, what gives joy differs from person to person. But for a believer in Christ, it's necessary that our joy must be godly and biblical.

We cannot derive our joy from the world or the devil, that is, that which is ungodly; where lies the temptation.

This chapter of Nehemiah shows four reasons to rejoice.

1. Purity / Consecration - The Israelites rejoiced at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem. They not only dedicated the wall, but the priests & the levites purified themselves and the people.

To "dedicate" is to "consecrate" that is to separate for a purpose.

We should rejoice at the separation of our lives to be holy and only for God.

2. Sacrifice - They rejoiced at the great sacrifice they made (12:43). Sacrifice could mean at least four things for us,

a) Sacrifice of our lips which is praise unto God
b) Sacrificial living
c) Sacrificial giving
d) (living) Sacrifice, that is, committing our bodies to renewed life

In these we should rejoice.

3. Presence of God - God had made them rejoice with great joy (12:43).

Our joy will be in the Lord when we spend time in God's presence.

The verse says that children also rejoiced. We need to teach children also to spend time with God & to receive His strength.

4. People (Leaders) - The people rejoiced over the leaders (priests & levites) who were appointed to oversee. (12:44)

We need to rejoice over our leaders who perform the service of God. The people set apart offerings for the leaders. These leaders performed the service of God, service of purification and set apart (12:47) the offerings (they did not steal).

Where is your Joy?
-Is it in living a separated life for God alone?
-Is it in your joyful, willing & living sacrifices?
-Is it in the presence of God & not in the world?
-Is it over godly leaders?

Have a blessed day!