THE JOY OF THE LORD: Nehemiah 8:9-12

DOCTRINE. God’s people are not to be overcome with grief because He has given them divine joy which is their refuge.

I. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE NOT TO BE OVERCOME WITH GRIEF, BECAUSE HE HAS GIVEN THEM DIVINE JOY (Nehemiah 8:10a).

I) Divine joy flows from the hearts of God’s people as they remember that God is God and He is their God (Psalm 93:1-2).

II) Divine joy flows from the hearts of God’s people when they think of His sweet salvation (Philippians 2:5-8; Ephesians 1:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9).

III) Divine joy flows from the hearts of God’s people when they remember that their Good Shepherd never leaves them in their time of trial (John 10:11-13; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Corinthians 11:24-28; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

II. GOD’S PEOPLE ARE NOT TO BE OVERCOME WITH GRIEF, BECAUSE HIS JOY IS THIER REFUGE (Nehemiah 8:10b).