"Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the Lord your God, Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength,"" (Nehemiah 8:9-10 NIV).
The people were weeping as the Laws were read because they were so far from following them. But, Nehemiah encouraged them to celebrate the renewal of the covenant with God. He told them it was a time to celebrate because the day was holy to God. It was a time to share what you have with others.
We all have celebrations. Perhaps most often for birthdays, sometimes for anniversaries, or retirement parties. We can think of other reasons to have a party and maybe we even share the extra food with others, as Nehemiah suggests. The idea he expresses is to avoid making it a self-centered party. He encourages celebrations that let you be filled with the joy of the Lord for he says that is our strength.
I have a hard time understanding, "for the joy of the Lord is your strength". How is God's joy my strength? So I went to the commentary and found this statement the helped explain it. "Often when we celebrate and give to others (even when we don't feel like it), we are strengthened spiritually and filled with joy." (NIV Life Application Study Bible).
That makes sense. When we give to others there is an inner joy we feel from doing something good. "For the joy of the Lord is your strength," (Nehemiah 8:10b NIV). After our Easter celebration I sent my granddaughter home with a container of leftover noodles. Perhaps this is an example that Nehemiah is talking about.
Today I will think on these things and allow my soul to feel the Lord's joy.
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