Nehemiah 8 (#2) : The Source of Strength

Nehemiah 8 (#2)

The Source of Strength

9. When the people heard the words of the Law, they all wept. So Governor Nehemiah, Priest Ezra the scholar, and the Levites who instructed the people said to them, "This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep."

10. Nehemiah said to them, "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."

◇ The people wept as they understood the Law, tears of gratitude for knowing God's will, tears of repentance for not having lived according to it, and tears moved by God’s guidance and protection in their vulnerability and weakness. These were tears intertwined with the pain and suffering of reality, and gratitude towards God.

The governor, priests, and Levites told the people to not weep but rejoice on this holy day of the Lord. They encouraged them to eat, drink, and share their joy, including with those who hadn’t prepared anything. Why hadn’t they prepared? Clearly, because of poverty. The people were impoverished due to laboring on the wall rebuilding, natural disasters, and heavy taxes. The leaders urged not to ignore them but to share and care for them, to rejoice together.

God wants us all to be joyful. Although not everyone will experience joy in the same way, God does not wish for us to weep in sorrow amidst our suffering while others feast. The world will always have the poor among us, and there will always be those who cry out in sadness and pain.

Yet, God tells us to share. To be together. This is God's will. When we share and rejoice together, strength is found. Both those who give and those who receive find strength. By doing God's will, we are strengthened by the power God gives.

♧ Lord, let us all be joyful together in sharing. Holy Spirit, lead us in truth! Amen.