Hearing Joy

I had the opportunity to preach at The Red Brick Church of Stillman Valley this morning. Here's a post by their pastor Chris Brauns, author of Unpacking Forgiveness. This is a good model of profitably meditating on Scripture.

Can you hear joy? Have you heard it?

Nehemiah 8:43 regarding the dedication of the wall:

And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. Nehemiah 8:43.

Scattered Questions

• Don’t you wish you could have been there for the celebration?
• How much more do you suppose the celebration meant for the ones who had been part of the wall building project?
• What does it sound like for people to be so excited – - including women and children? Did they clap? Shout? Play instruments? Laugh?
• What would need to take place for more of this to happen in our local assemblies?
• Can you think of a time when you were a part of a time of such joy and enthusiasm?
• How might God use you to help bring about such a show of celebration?