Nehemiah 8:8-10

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. 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. 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."

Nehemiah appeared on the scene in the history of Israel after a long captivity in Babylon. Historically, his is one of the last books that was written that is contained in the Old Testament. Israel was sent into captivity because of their sin against God, most notably their idolatry. But they were guilty of committing all of the sins of the nations around them. Leviticus 18 lists the awful sins of the nations. A remnant of the nation of Israel was sent out of captivity back into the land that the LORD had promised them. The occasion of these verses from the book of Nehemiah is the reading of the law, the existing parts of the Old Testament. This was the first five books of the Old Testament which included the ten commandments and the instructions regarding the tabernacle and the priesthood. The people were so moved by the truths of the law, seeing how far short of them that they had fallen, that they wept over their sin. Oh that we would all have such a sense of our sinfulness before God! But in that very thing is another wonderful truth that Nehemiah brings out. In that they realized their sinfulness, the day of mourning became a holy day unto the LORD. For in this day, in realizing their standing before the law, they also realized God's greatness. Their hearts were turned to Him. God rejoices to see people turn to Him. Jesus said that the angels in heaven rejoice over one soul that repents. The day of the realization of sin in our lives is the day of rejoicing in heaven. So this day of mourning in Israel was turned to a day of joy.

Nehemiah tells them to not be grieved (sorry). He tells them to do some things that are evidences of joy, "... mourn not, nor weep ... eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared ..." He tells them to substitute the sorrow with joyful things. For, said he, "the joy of the LORD is your strength." Joy is a choice. And the way from sorrow to joy is to act in a joyful way. They were to eat and drink and supply the needs of others so that they could do the same. But this joy was not without a source. The act of acting joyful had a basis. It was joy of the LORD.

The joy of the LORD is joy in the LORD. There are a great many things about Him that can bring us joy. Firstly, He is the great creator of all. Each and every aspect of His creation speaks of Him in His greatness. It could be a sunset, a flower, the stars, aurora borealis, or any of a trillion other items that are the product of His creative genius. Some would say that similarity in design suggests evolutionary relationship. But similarity in design really suggests a common creator who does all things well. He is the great creator of everything. And everything speaks of His greatness. Secondly, He is our creator. Each and every one of us bears the mark of His hand. We are all made in His image. And while the image of Him that we bear has been marred by our sin, we nonetheless have been made by Him. Each and every breath that we take is a gift from Him, as is each and every beat of our hearts. Another thing about Him which is a source of joy is His great acts toward the children of men. The greatest of these was His having punished His Son for our sin. Had He chosen to ignore our plight, nobody could blame Him. But, He determined to take action for our redemption. Another thing that is a source of joy is His promise to never leave nor forsake those who are His. Quoting His words backwards we have, "Thee forsake, nor thee leave, never will I." This means that regardless of circumstances, those who are His (no matter how they may feel at the time) are NEVER without Him. In the new testament there are many verses that speak of joy. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16 we are told to "Rejoice evermore (always)." And, in Philippians 4:4 we are told to "Rejoice in the LORD always." Paul repeats himself in this verse, saying "... and again I say, Rejoice." He tells them two times in the same sentence to rejoice, and that the source of their rejoicing is the LORD. Psalm 103:2-5 says, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." We have great joy when we recall His benefits to us.

Psalm 16:11 says, "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

HJK