Nehemiah 8:9-18

This sermon hit home...I've struggled with Godward joy. These verses talk about how the people understood joy after hearing God's word read to them for 6 hours. They are told that it's a sacred day and not to grieve. That "sacred" day is Yom Kippur ..day of atonement. For us, everyday is a day of atonement with Christ.

We cannot experience joy if:

1 our life isn't lived in deference to God

For deep joy..you need deep conviction


2 we don't embrace your complete diagnosis from God's word

We need to be "called out" by God at times


3 we don't see joy as an act of obedience

we are commanded to pursue joy


4 we don't spread it(joy) ..especially with mercy


5 we don't consistently remind ourselves of when God rescued us.

It talks about the building of booths as a reminder that God took them out of the desert. The building of booths occurred during the Feast of Tabernacle described in Leviticus 23 to commemorate that God prevailed in them.