Sunday Scripture

 

 In 2013, I did an Advent study with Good Morning Girls.  The study, Keeping Our Hearts Focused on Jesus, is still available as a free download; it's not too late to head on over there and get it.  Scroll down and click on the book-like image similar to the illustration above, and the pdf should open right up.  More than just a Bible study, this is an ebook that includes recipes, Advent activities, and more.  I think it will be a blessing to you.

I've mentioned before that I like to use the SOAP method of Bible study, and the studies from GMG use a very similar one.  I find this method a real blessing whether I am studying shorter passages or longer ones, so I hope you'll give it a try if you haven't ever done so. Just a reminder that the S is for Scripture -- just write it out -- and the O is for Observation, the A is for Application and the P is for prayer -- concerning how you'll apply this verse or passage,  or praise for what it means to you.

This third week's verses are focused on Joy.  If you downloaded the study and are following along with it, this is the one from December 17.

Today's Scripture is Nehemiah 8:10.

S=  "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 grieved; for the joy of the LORD is your strength."  (Nehemiah 8:10)

O= After the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt under the direction of Nehemiah, Ezra stood in the street "upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose", and read from the book of the law.  Verse 8 notes that Ezra and other men "read in the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading". 

The people wept when they heard the words of the law (v.9) but Nehemiah and Ezra instructed them not to weep but to celebrate, "for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

Warrem Wiersbe explains in With the Word, "When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem in 444 B.C., Ezra was already there, instructing the people in God's law.  When the work of rebuilding was completed, Ezra held a great 'Bible conference' during the Feast of Taberrnacles.  The emphasis in chapter 8 is on 'the Book'.  They honored God's Word by standing when it was opened (v.5), listening when it was read, and seeking to understand it when it was explained.  They rejoiced at understanding the Word and at obeying the Word."

Believer's Bible Commentary also has some helpful thoughts: "The people's tears showed that the message was taken seriously (v.9).  They were right in taking the Word of God seriously, but they did not need to be overwhelmed by grief.  The feast was not for weeping but for rejoicing.  Only one occasion for mourning and fasting was to be found among Israel's feasts, and that was the Day of Atonement.  The rest of the feasts were to be kept with joy and celebration.  The fruit of the Spirit was to be visible: love, in sharing with the less fortunate; joy, in eating and drinking before the Lord; peace, in calming their fears and putting their hearts at rest.  Their sadness was turned to joy, and the joy of the LORD was their strength."

A= Certainly I am to take my sin seriously, as seen in December 16's reading from 1 John, and I am to be serious about my Christian life and my walk with God.  But the Christian life is intended to be a joy-filled life.

There have been many times in my life when I felt I could not do what was being asked of me.  Literally, I had no strength of my own.  I prayed in those times for God's joy to be my strength; sometimes I prayed it through tears.  God answered gloriously and I did find that His joy was my strength.  

P= "Lord, I am so thankful that Your joy can be my strength.  I praise You for the many times in my life when you have proved that to be true.  

"I know that every day is to be 'holy unto the Lord' -- for it is to be sanctified to Your service.  Help me to live my life in such a way that this is so.  May each and every day of my life count for Your glory!  I know that this can only be done in Your strength, and I thank You for all that You have done, all that You are doing, and all that You will do, in Jesus' name, Amen."

And there is our very simple study for today!  I hope it has been a blessing to someone.