Monday, June 8, 2026

Opening Scripture

Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. Leviticus 9:23-24

Opening Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, you are holy and exalted! May your kingdom come and your will be done in my life, home, and community just as it is in Heaven. Help me to trust you today to meet all of my needs. Help me to forgive others just as you have forgiven me. Help me to resist temptation and overcome the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Reflection  

As promised, we’re becoming increasingly familiar with today’s passage this summer as we focus on “Making a Difference.” We’re exploring the fruit of the Spirit and discovering how to be difference makers. Our focal verse is John 15:8, where Jesus tells his followers, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

This week, we will examine the second fruit of the Spirit identified by Paul in his letter to the Galatians: joy. Yesterday’s sermon was about the celebration that took place when the wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt and dedicated to the Lord. The Book of Nehemiah (originally a single text along with Ezra) describes the incredible challenge of physically rebuilding the walls of the Holy City and spiritually rebuilding the faith of God’s people after their long exile in Babylon.

Nehemiah – whose name means “Yahweh has comforted” – was the cupbearer to Persian King Artaxerxes in the 5th century B.C. When Nehemiah asked about the condition of the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, he received distressing news. “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

Nehemiah felt a personal responsibility to do something about the plight of his people. He decided to use his position of responsibility in the king’s court to address the situation. He prayed fervently, then acted. “Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man (the king).”

God answered Nehemiah’s prayer and gave him favor in the presence of the king. “And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.” Artaxerxes provided letters of safe conduct, abundant building materials, and an army to support Nehemiah’s effort. He also named Nehemiah as governor.

Despite fierce opposition and intimidation, the people responded to Nehemiah’s leadership and undertook the expansive project with enthusiasm. “So the wall was completed in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.”

The fortified wall was a strategic defense against attacking enemies, a tangible expression of God’s protection, and a psychological comfort for a struggling nation. But rebuilding the wall was only part of what was needed. Rebuilding the people’s devotion to God was of even greater importance.

God used King Nebuchadnezzar II to exact discipline and judgment on His wayward people by occupying Judah in 597 B.C. Sadly, the Jews who weren’t carried off to Babylon continued to defy God’s instructions and betray their covenantal relationship with Him. They intermarried with the surrounding pagan nations and fell further into sin. The same thing happened 140 years earlier when the Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria, and the Israelites intermarried with “foreigners” who turned their hearts against God (producing the much-hated Samaritans).

Nehemiah took a strong stand against the people’s sinful rebellion. “I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God’s name and said: ‘You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.’”

At the dedication of the newly rebuilt wall, “All the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel. He read it aloud from daybreak till noon… And all the people listened attentively.”

Ezra, the priest, stood on a high wooden platform that was built for the occasion. As he read, the people all stood as well. “Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, ‘Amen! Amen!’ Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

Hearing the Word of God read aloud reminded the people of Yahweh’s holiness and goodness. As a result, they were deeply convicted about their sin and disobedience. After their sorrow and repentance, however, the leaders encouraged the people to celebrate. Here’s where the joy comes in!

“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep.’ For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 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.’”

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Flourishing Habit

Flourishing Christians

After hearing the Word of God, confessing and repenting of sin, and desiring to do God’s will, it was time for joy. The events described in today’s Reflection are an expression of Peter’s message in Acts 3:19. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

The crowd’s response to the reading of Scripture must have been a tremendous blessing to Nehemiah and Ezra. It was truly a time of joy and refreshing as the people repented and turned back to God. They lifted their hands, shouted “Amen,” bowed their faces to the ground, and worshipped God. That sounds like a revival to me! It was a sacred day, and Nehemiah encouraged them to celebrate.

Repentance, forgiveness, and joy ought to go together! Our “strength” comes from depending on God’s goodness and faithfulness. It is a shared, communal experience that calls for celebration.

In a crucial moment, Nehemiah’s prayer for God’s guidance and favor, his willingness to risk and act, his persistence in the face of opposition, and his love for God and His people were all powerfully rewarded. Nehemiah was entrusted with responsibility. He rallied the disheartened and backslidden Jews. The wall was rebuilt, and God’s people were revived.

It is no surprise that the joy of the Lord began with the reading of Scripture. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Responding in repentance and devotion to God’s truth is how revival usually starts.

Are you experiencing the joy of the Lord?

If so, give Him praise!

If not, you know what to do.

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (Psalm 32).

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!