Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Feb 3

Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: Joy & Peace

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Just the Same by Northwest University; Happy Day by Tim Hughes; How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin; Hosanna by Hillsong United.

Read:   Deuteronomy 16:13-15; Nehemiah 8:9-12

Think:   One of the first times the word "joy" is found in the Bible it is linked to work.  "For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete."

What is your first thought about this verse?  The relationship we have with the work we do will greatly influence our reaction to this verse.  Whether or not we see purpose and value in our work contributes to our attitude.

The Nehemiah passage above recounts the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem that had been destroyed by the Babylonians.  About 100 years have passed since the Jewish people returned to Jerusalem from captivity; and Nehemiah rallies them to refortify the City.  

While building, they have been bullied, taunted, ridiculed and challenged to fight, yet they remained steadfast in their work.  The people worked with all their heart, carrying a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other.  In just 52 days the work was completed.  The account says that the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence because they realized that this work had been done with the help of their God.

The work that brought joy was obedience to God.  The key to success was prayer.  Nehemiah cried out to God in repentance and was given the privilege of rebuilding the wall.  He rallied others to join in his project and together they accomplished a feat that was impossible in the eyes of man.  Before every action Nehemiah prayed to God then with courage and perseverance he led others into action.    

Do:   What work of your hands has God given you to do today that will make your joy complete?   It does not need to be monumental to be significant, but it does need to be preceded by prayer and done in the power of God.

Pray:  Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for coming beside us as we love you and obey your commands.  Guide us through our work that we may find favor with You; then our joy will be complete.  Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

4505 236th Ave. NE • Redmond, WA 98053 • 425-869-4400 • info@timberlakeonline.org