Causes for Joy

Ezra 6:16 ~ “And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.”
 
The years had continued in the exile of the nation of Israel. A generation that had rebelled against the LORD endured the disciplining hand of God while their captivity continued. But time passed as it will and the days of their reproach from the LORD had come to an end. By the hand of God, the exiles were granted the opportunity to return to the land of promise. If ever there was a reason to rejoice, truly the people of God had many.
 
And this is our thought today—what moves you to rejoice? The Bible commands us to rejoice. Philippians 4:4 declares, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” Beyond merely the happiness of a beneficial moment, are there experiences that have brought to you causes for joy? From our text today, we will look at some very crucial conditions that brought to the people of Israel great joy—and should establish for you, I hope, an avenue of looking to see that you also can rejoice.
 
First, these were, as our text declares, “returned exiles.” There is much that can be made of this statement. The people, priests and Levites, all those who returned, were both back in the land of their birth as well coming to the end of God’s disciplinary action against their rebellion. With patience the LORD had endured the slipping away of His people as they descended into idolatry. But now, as promised through Jeremiah, the LORD is sending His people back into the land of promise and they are filled with joy. Consider the words of Psalm 126:1-3, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.” Let me ask, are you a “returned exile?” Have you come back from the captivity of sin and been restored by the grace of the LORD Jesus? Then, my friends, you have much cause to rejoice! Jesus says in Luke 15:10, “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” If the LORD rejoices over your repentance and restoration, then, my dear Christian, open your heart to rejoice as well. The LORD has granted you pardon from sin. He has delivered you from eternal death and brought you into everlasting life.
 
The next aspect of our text is the restored worship of God. The returned exiles, “celebrated the dedication of this house of God.” It was not as the former house of God; it did not quite measure up to the previous temple. Ezra 3:12 states, “But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy.” Those who knew what used to be, the former glory of the temple, could not help but weep at the changes that happened. But what is the house of God? It is the place for the people of Israel to meet with the LORD, offer the sacrifices and worship the Almighty. And though it was not as in former times, the rebuilding of the temple was needed to reestablish the nation of Israel with the LORD. And that, beloved, is a great cause for joy! Paul told the church in Romans 5:11, “More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” There are some who see the worship of the LORD as a dreadful task, one that must be accomplished but it affords them little joy. They are like those described in Malachi 1:13, “But you say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it, says the LORD of hosts.” Oh, beloved, let us offer our worship before the LORD with joy.
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If no other blessing came into your life, does the redemption of the LORD from your sin and the opportunity to draw near to Him in worship give you a cause for joy? There is no greater gift than His salvation and no more magnificent place than to be than in His presence. Both of these are great causes for joy.
 
In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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