There are many reasons for joy.  Sunday’s sermon was another example.  I want to explore a few ways to apply that sermon in this post.

Why is the joy of the Lord our strength?

Nehemiah 8:10 makes this case.  In that text, the people of God were under duress while reconstructing the walls, and Ezra reads from the Law.   It has been a long, hard road for the people of God.  Even after the rebuilt walls, many were saddened by what Jerusalem looked like.  They remembered its former glory.  Now, it was nothing like that memory.  Some were distraught over their sin.  Nehemiah reminds them that the joy of the Lord is their strength.  

That context gives us some good reasons why the joy of the Lord is our strength.  

• There is joy when our sins are forgiven, and we’re made right with God.   
• There is joy when we know that God is on our side. We can face hardships and enemies, but they pale compared to God’s care.  
• There is joy in God’s strength to finish a job He’s called us to do.  Everything seemed to work against the people of Israel.  But God strengthened them to finish the job.  
• There is joy when we realize that we’re God’s people.  Gratitude makes the soul ripe for joy.  Joy will follow when we know that all we have is better than we deserve.          

We can all agree with this verse: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1

How do we play our part in God’s restorative work?

Reversal reveals restoration.  That’s a big theme in the Bible.  One concern I’ve had through the years has been that we don’t think about restoration enough, and we don’t go far enough with the Bible’s theme of restoration.  We only believe in restoration in the sense of salvation.  Don’t get me wrong.  That’s a primary that God’s restoration works in us.  But there are many implications of restoration where we play our part.   

How forgiving are you?  Restoration is seen at work when we do what doesn’t come naturally to those who hurt us.  Forgiveness is the smell of heaven.   

How loving are you to those you don’t know or to those you might consider enemies?  

Do you seek ways to be ‘last’ so others can be put forward?  How counterintuitive is this?  

Do you serve others without any desire to be paid back or noticed?  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cleaned the kitchen or done something around the house, waiting for Jill to come home to honor me🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️… 

What I find interesting in God’s restoration work is that His ways are right-side up, and the world’s are upside down.  Think about it this way:   If sin had never entered the world (I know, hard to believe), it would’ve been the norm to serve others joyfully.  It would’ve been customary for husbands and wives to have their roles clearly defined, and they could handle disagreements with love. Children would’ve joyfully obeyed, and everyone would’ve honored one another.   God’s ways are the right ways.  The world’s ways are upside down. 

Coming Podcast

After the first of the year, we’re starting a new podcast.  The podcast aims to talk about life at CLF and cultural and theological issues.

You can help by sending in questions or issues you’d like us to discuss.  Send those to Perry Sorensen at [email protected] or Christina Luther at [email protected].   

Looking Ahead

We will continue our Christmas series, “Awaiting the King,” this Sunday as we look at Luke 2:1-7 and the Birth of the Savior.  

On Christmas Eve, we will have a 1-hour service at Jacoby Auditorium on the UCC Campus from 5:00-6:00.  Bring your family and friends.  It’ll be a great night to be together.     

From the Cheap Seats

• I told my sons I would pull for the Detroit Lions because the Cowboys don’t stand a chance this season.  Then, the Lions had three of the best players go on Injured Reserve for the rest of the season.  I think my sports fandom is a curse.  Maybe I should cheer for the Eagles.  
• Speaking of the Cowboys…how many season-ending injuries can happen to one team?  It’s good that they were out of the playoffs long ago.  
• The signing of Nate Eovaldi was needed.  But the trade for Jake Burger might be an understated great thing for my Rangers. They needed more pop in their lineup. 

Have a great week! Christ is King!

In Christ, 

Dave York