INTRODUCTION

The first half of Nehemiah describes the Israelite exiles returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the city’s walls, but what were they protecting? There is little point in building walls to protect an empty town. We are often so focused on building our external walls that we neglect building up our inner walls to protect our inner lives. 

Consider that joy might be the key to building up protection for our inner lives.

Joy is a key trait of a spirit-filled believer. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Despite persecution, the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). Yet as we learnt last week, joy is not a fleeting feeling based on circumstances. It requires careful cultivation.

DISCUSSION

1. Read Nehemiah 8:1-12. After the external walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt and the returning Israelites settled in their new homes, they gathered together. This was in the lead-up to the Feast of Tabernacles held to celebrate Israel’s deliverance from bondage in Egypt.
   
   a. Nehemiah 8:1-3. What did the people ask Ezra to do? As opposed to Ezra asking the people. What significance does this have for you?
   
   b. Nehemiah 8:5-6 & 9. The people welcomed the reading of the word of God with reverence and wept. Why do you think they wept? Have you ever felt moved to tears reading the word of God?

   c. Nehemiah 8:10-11. The priests asked the people to celebrate instead of grieve. What reason did they give the people? How does this change your perception of joy and holiness? Read also Matthew 9:14-15 and Revelation 21:4.

   d. Nehemiah 8:10 & 12. The people obeyed the priests and went off to celebrate – not alone – but sharing their provisions with those who did not have enough. What does this teach us about joy and other people? How are you sharing your joy today?

2. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” What is the joy of the Lord? Do you know that you bring joy to the Lord? As we saw in Zephaniah 3:17 last week:
   
   The Lord your God is with you,
       the Mighty Warrior who saves.
   He will take great delight in you;
       in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
      but will rejoice over you with singing.
   
   It is in communion with God, the being together, regardless of whatever else is going on in your life, that brings joy to Him, and in turn, strength to us. Read also Psalm 51:11-12. Regardless of what your calendar says, what is your joy tomorrow?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

• Receive God’s delight
  • Stop. See. Stay.
  • Lord, you are with me. You are Mighty to save. You rejoice over me.
• Rehearse joyful moments
  • What past moments have brought you joy or deep gratitude?
• Release a song
  • What praise and worship song comes to mind? Don’t keep it in your earphones, sing it out loud.
• Ritualise being a joy thermostat
  • There is no limit to communion with God, nor the joy we can receive and share.

MEMORY VERSE

The Lord your God is with you,
   the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
  in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
  but will rejoice over you with singing.
– Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)