“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Thank you for joining us on Strength Sunday. This week we will be focusing on joy. Take a moment to enjoy this beautiful photo of the Myrtle Beach Sky Wheel. What does joy mean? As a noun, it is the feeling of great pleasure and happiness. Joy is derived from the word rejoice. I will be transparent in that joy is something I struggle with. I am also afraid of heights and have no desire to ever ride this sky wheel. Like joy, getting on the sky wheel is a choice. Let’s read how the people in the book of Nehemiah found joy.

In Nehemiah, we read about the rebuilding of Jerusalem after the exile. Chapter 8 is Ezra’s reading of God’s law to His people and the celebration of the “Feast of the Tabernacles”. This feast is basically a seven-day celebration honoring the forty years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness. You can read more about this in Leviticus 23:33-44. What does the “joy of the Lord is your strength” mean? Think about how tired the people must have been after the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This feast was meant to be sacred and celebrated, not just for one day but for seven. Think about the strength that was gained through rest and fellowship. In Nehemiah 8:17 NIV we get our answers; “The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.”

Sunday is just one day out of seven that we receive rest and fellowship but it should be sacred and celebrated with great joy all seven days. Every day celebrated is a victory. It gives me joy to think of our Lord as “Jehovah Nissi,” the Lord is our banner. Let’s go to the Lord in prayer.

Jehovah Nissi, Lord my banner, I am a victorious mighty warrior. Thank you for your redeeming love and living word to guide me through destruction, restoration, and celebration. Open my heart, eyes, and ears to feel, see, and hear the joy that only you can provide. Forgive me when I fall short and celebrate with me when I get back up. Today is the day you have made. I choose to seek the sacredness of celebrated joy for it is the source of my strength. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.