Nehemiah: Spiritual Renewal Week 2

Nehemiah 8: Renewing delight in Godʼs word...how change happens

This week we see the people are settled in Jerusalem, so “all the peopleˮ gathered together and asked Ezra to read the scriptures to them. With the restoration of the city, they were ready to become the light on the hill. They were ready for renewal, so they asked Ezra to read the word of God to them. The word was read to the people from daybreak until noon and the people, and you can sense the power of the Word. Throughout the chapter you see the people responding to Godʼs word with humility, worship, mourning and weeping, celebration and immediate obedience. The Word is transforming them and there was “very great rejoicingˮ(v17).

• Read Nehemiah chapter 8
• Does the conviction of sin bring you joy or guilt?
• Have you ever experienced deep joy from realising that God is still at work in your life despite your failings?  
• What impact do you desire the Word of God to have on your life?

Pray with one another, and ask God to show you the joy of salvation found in Jesus Christ so that our worship may be one of adoration and joy for we are to enjoy the Father and the Lamb who was slain forever and ever.

Worship

Last week we saw that the direction of the whole world and everything in it is towards worship. Worship is the goal and the eternal end of the Christian life. This week in Nehemiah we see that God desires the expression of worship through Joy! Despite the realities of our sin we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and through the power of the Holy Spirit we are being transformed by the very word of God. How can this not bring us into a rejoicing spirit of unshakable joy!

Share with one another

• Do you correlate worship to joy and celebration?
• What do you see as the default emotional outworking of worship? Indifference, obligation, self conscious, judged, guilty, hopeful, loving, joyful, confident, free, awe, excitement]

Practice

1. Continue in listening to worship music, particularly in times you are struggling physically, emotionally or spiritually.
2. Memorise Nehemiah 810 “...Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strengthˮ
3. Regardless of your circumstances, find a way to rejoice in God this week. This could be inviting friends over to sing songs around a fire. This could be gathering around a table enjoying good food. This could be calling a friend to share what God is doing in your life currently. This could be taking a moment to enjoy Godʼs goodness: Go to the beach, river, hills or park and marvel at the beauty and wonder of Godʼs creation.