Our memory verse this week is Nehemiah 8:10c, “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” What a promise this is!
A little background…
Nehemiah had been called by God to restore the wall of the city of His people who had escaped and survived captivity. They were back in Jerusalem and were in distress. Nehemiah answered that call and faced the challenge. It was a task facing many challenges including having to work while also defending the city.
Upon completion of the wall, they met together and read the law of the Lord. Realizing how far they strayed from God and His law, the people were grieved. Yet, Nehemiah told them to be joyful. They understood the law. That was reason to be joyful.
“9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.
12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.“
In the midst of their grief over failure to keep God’s law, they are told to rejoice because the joy of the Lord is their strength. There is joy in knowing that God forgives when we repent. (Continue reading in Nehemiah to see the repentance.)
This week, let’s remember that the joy of the Lord is our strength. He is a wonderful God in whom we find joy!
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