Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!

Have you ever sinned against God or someone so egregiously that it just wrecked you? You messed up so badly, and when you realized what you had done, it just ruined you? I have had seasons in my life when I have sinned where I came to my senses and realized what I had done, I was a spiritual and emotional wreck. Does that sound familiar? Is it your experience, too?

In the book of Nehemiah, we read the story of how the teacher of the Law, Ezra, brought out the Book of the Law of Moses and began to read it for the people. He taught people, teaching them what Moses had written. When the people heard God’s Word and realized the chasm between God’s standard of holiness and their own rebellion, they wept and wailed. They were wrecked by their own sin and disobedience. Hearing God’s Word stirred conviction so deep within them and that it caused them to grieve and mourn.

Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites told the people to stop crying and weeping. This was a day to celebrate what God had done! This was a day to celebrate God’s forgiveness! For forgiveness brings the joy of the Lord amidst sadness and grieving over sin. That conviction threatens to weaken and paralyze us, but the joy of the Lord’s forgiveness brings strength!

Yes, we have sinned egregiously against God and others. Yes, we have missed the mark time and time again. Yes, we have fallen short of God’s holy standard. We need to repent of our sins and turn to God for forgiveness. But when God says, “You are forgiven, my child,” we need to stop weeping and start celebrating! God has forgiven us and that is cause for joy! The joy of the Lord is our strength!

By Shawn Cornett, Bible League International staff, United States