-assenseofacceptance with God, itgives usGodfortherestofour spirits, it
fllexander Maclaren
SERMON ELEVEN
THE JOY OF THE LORD
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HERE, in the incident before us, there has come a time in Nehemiah's great enterprise, when the law, long forgotten, long broken by the captives, is now to be established again as the rule of the newly founded commonwealth. Naturally enough there comes a remembrance of many things in the past history of the people; and tears not unnaturally mingle with the thankfulness that again they are a nation, having a Divine worship and a Divine law in their midst. The leader of them, knowing for one thing that if the spirits of his people once began to flag, they could not face nor conquer the difficulties of their position, said to them, "Neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." And that is as true, brethren, with regard to us, as it ever was in these old times.
I. THE JOY OF THE LORD IS THE NATURAL RESULT OF -CHRISTIAN FAITH.
A. The Gospel's Provision for Joy.
1. The Gospel provides joy by what it brings. It gives us what we well call -assense of acceptance with God, it gives us God for the rest of our spirits, it