“Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is holy 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 holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:9-10
Evangelist Billy Graham once said, “Joy is one of the marks of a true believer. This is not a gushy emotion or a forced grin, but the security of knowing God’s love”. Nehemiah was one of the thousands who lived in exile. He had spent his whole life in Babylon, but his heart belonged to Jerusalem. When he learned that after so many years Jerusalem still laid in ruins, he was given permission to go to Jerusalem, along with enough men to rebuild the walls.
The story of Nehemiah’s return with the exiles and how they rebuilt walls, in spite of the obstacles and opposition, is truly amazing. They had no heavy equipment and they were under the threat of attack at all times. Only half the men could work at any one time. Because the other half were standing guard. In spite of this, the entire project was finished in 52 days, a remarkable feat.
When it was finished, they worshiped the Lord. Ezra, the priest, read from the five scrolls of the Law of Moses. As he did, the people wept. Then Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites said to the people, “This day is holy in the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep”. (Neh. 8:9) Nehemiah added, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to the Lord. And do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (v10)
I believe that Nehemiah was talking about the kind of joy that is connected with a particular attitude toward the Lord and life. He had such a positive attitude because he was God-centered and not circumstance-centered.
If you’ve ever been to Haiti and seen these children who appear to have absolutely nothing and who live in such poverty, you would be amazed at how so many of them are actually filled with joy, the joy of the Lord. These children are not circumstance-centered at all, but rather, Christ-centered. Knowing the very real presence of the Lord in their life has filled them with a joy that no circumstance could ever take away. This is why, as Paul writes, they can rejoice always. (Phil. 4:4a)
It is just so important for each of us to look deeply at our own life and ask ourself, “Am I living my life circumstance-centered or Christ-centered?” That is what will show us and those around us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Keith Enko