THANKSGIVING
(Nehemiah 8:9-10) “—‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.’ For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, ‘go your way, eat fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Joy: (str. 2304) means rejoicing, gladness, and to be joined.
(Is. 12:3) “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
Joy is positive human emotion which comes from many different reasons, such as family, work, abundance, food, good health, victory, and others. Joy is also related to The Father, Son and Holy Spirit; and made possible by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a joy planted within the hearts, which has nothing to do with a person’s physical circumstances, such as persecution, when their hope is in future glory, heaven, and etc.
Reason for joy:
1. For salvation
2. For forgiveness
3. For personal well being
4. For god’s protection for life in the presence of God
5. For a happy home
6. At religious feasts
7. At coronations
8. At dedications of Gods temple
9. For all that the Lord does
10. For victory over enemies
11. For coming out of bondage
12. For the birth of Jesus
13. For salvation
14. For our names being in the book of life
15. For miraculous healing
16. For privilege of sharing about Christ
17. For anyone who repents
18. For the wedding of the Lamb
(Deut. 12:7) “And there you shall eat before the Lord your God and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.”
(Lk. 24:49-53) Jesus said: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.’ And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
Now it came to pass while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple (represents our body) praising and blessing God. Amen.