Today’s reading is Nehemiah 6-10.
What makes the God Filled strong? The ultimate source of God Filled strength according to Nehemiah 8:10 is: “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (ESV). Reading the Law, the Jews saw with clarity just how guilty they were, and their grief was visceral and abundant. You would think the priests would encourage that grief, prompting them to feel even worse because they weren’t nearly sorry enough for their sinfulness (who is?). Instead, they declared a day of feasting because of God’s mercy that had led their ancestors out of Egyptian captivity, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land and had now led them out of Assyrian and Babylonian captivity and back into the Promised Land. Where is our strength? Is it in mourning over our sinfulness and considering how much of God’s punishment we deserve? Or is it in the joy that comes from knowing that “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5, ESV)? Certainly, know your guilt, but find your God Filled strength from the joy that accompanies forgiveness, mercy, and God’s grace through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow’s reading is Nehemiah 11-13, Esther 1-2.
Pursue Righteousness 