May 6th,

truer knowledge brings greater joy.

And all the people went their way to make great rejoicing

because they had understood the words that were declared to them,

Nehemiah 812.

The only joy that reflects the worth of God and overflows in God glorifying love

is rooted in the true knowledge of God.

And to the degree that our knowledge is small or flawed,

our joy will be a poor echo of God's true excellence.

The experience of Israel in Nehemiah 812 is a paradigm

of how God glorifying joy happens in the heart.

Ezra had read the word of God to them

and the Levites had explained it.

And then the people went away to make great rejoicing.

Their great rejoicing was because they had understood words,

the true words of God.

Most of us have tasted this experience of the heart burning with joy

when the word of God was opened to us, Luke 2432.

Twice, Jesus said that he taught his disciples

for the sake of their joy. John 1511,

these things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you

and that your joy may be full. John 1713,

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