OUTHSIDE SCOOP WEEKLY
IT’S FALL YA’LL!
EDITION 47
24 DECEMBER 2023
BULLETIN
THE JOY OF THE LORD By Sis. Ricki Fuller
While still pondering and digging into this month’s theme of Rejoice, let’s stop momentarily to consider The Lord’s posture regarding us and joy. For starters, there is a Scripture found in Nehemiah 8:9-11 that specifically states that “the joy of the Lord is your (our) strength.”
What does that mean? Well, the forecast given in Nehemiah is summed up in Psalm 100. After Ezra clearly proclaimed GOD’s Word to the people of Israel, especially about their
800 Elmira Avenue Durham, NC 27707 info@sside.org | www.sside.org 919.688.3535 Staff Orlander R. Thomas Senior Minister William A. Stephens Minister Emeritus Wiley Shearin, Jr. Elder Emeritus Ricki Fuller Women’s Counselor Candice P. Blount Church Administrator Quentella Williams Executive Assistant Deacons John Alcox Anthnoy Green, Sr. Arthur Hackney John Mathis Chester Mayfield, Jr. Roger McDougal Joe Williams Keith Wright
having disobeyed and misrepresented GOD, the people began weeping/crying. They were sad and downtrodden by their own sins/guilt. Nehemiah consulted with Ezra and some of the other leaders and shared with them that the people should not be disgruntled, but that they should be joyful. They should be so glad that GOD had sustained them and brought them to that moment of restoration. From that advice, Ezra and the other priests taught the people to rejoice in the Lord and to gleefully give Him thanks. In other words, it was ‘party-time! It was time to praise and to glorify GOD! It was time to eat and drink of the bounty The Lord had provided for them! It was time to share with neighbors, with the needy, with strangers so everyone could get in on the ‘party’ with GOD! Once the people recognized and accepted GOD’s Faithfulness and His Forgiveness, they were able to follow the words spoken by their leaders to the point of having a ‘holy’ good time! That’s exactly what the writer of Psalm 100 portrayed: “Sing to the LORD, all the world! Worship the LORD with joy; come before Him with happy songs! Acknowledge that the LORD is God. He made us, and we belong to Him; we are His people, we are His flock. Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving; go into its courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise Him. The LORD is good; His love is eternal and His faithfulness lasts forever.” (GNT) Can it be truthfully said that people in this era are gleeful when they enter a hallowed place designed or set aside for worshipping GOD? Is the LORD actually acknowledged by people as their God? Do people live their lives as though they believe GOD is their Creator? What about you, do you realize GOD is faithful towards you, and that He infinitely loves you? Do you thank Him and praise Him in, and away from, the worship house? As alluded to in Nehemiah 8:9-11, The LORD is joyful when we worship/praise/adore Him in thanksgiving and singing and sharing and loving! His joy is our strength because we become confident in Him to the point that others see our honor to Him, and they decide to honor Him also! (See Hebrews 13:16; Ecclesiastes 12:13 – it’s our duty/privilege). Beloved, make Him joyful every day and you will be strong! As one commentator wrote: “Let yourselves constantly be strengthened by the LORD.”
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