“Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they had now understood the words that had been made known to them.”
Nehemiah 8:12
The Word of God should rightly cut us to the core. Before the Lord and His Word, our sin lies exposed. His Word convicts us before our holy God, and we are justly humbled. It was therefore fitting for the people in the book of Nehemiah to weep. In fact, their sorrow was so great that they had to be commanded three separate times to stop.
But that day was holy, set apart to the holy God to transform weeping into joy, for “the joy of the LORD is your strength” (v. 10). The God who draws near to cut through sin is also the God who draws near to bind us. Just as the Levites went on behalf of the people to God, they also stood on behalf of God before the people. They came as mediators. They pictured for us a future mediator named Jesus.
It is appropriate to weep over our sin, but also to rejoice and feast over the mercies of the Lord to you in Christ Jesus. In fact, our rejoicing should overflow so that we will share in our feasting with those who have nothing (v. 10). Though we may feel mired in sorrow, we join in the feast today.
But that day was holy, set apart to the holy God to transform weeping into joy, for “the joy of the LORD is your strength” (v. 10). The God who draws near to cut through sin is also the God who draws near to bind us. Just as the Levites went on behalf of the people to God, they also stood on behalf of God before the people. They came as mediators. They pictured for us a future mediator named Jesus.
It is appropriate to weep over our sin, but also to rejoice and feast over the mercies of the Lord to you in Christ Jesus. In fact, our rejoicing should overflow so that we will share in our feasting with those who have nothing (v. 10). Though we may feel mired in sorrow, we join in the feast today.
Scripture Focus
Nehemiah 8:9-18
Insight
Let your sorrow lead you to Christ, and Christ lead you to joy!
Bible In A Year
- 2 Samuel 13-14
- Psalm 142
- 1 Thessalonians 1-2
