January 18, 2011

Nehemiah 8
Who is this God who makes us weep and then joyful? When the people heard the law read, they wept. Why? They wept because they understood the depravity and depth of their sin. They understood that they had offended the Holy God. For the first time they began to understand the magnitude of His holiness. They began to understand the purity of the law. They began to understand the depths of their sin. It brought godly sorrow to their hearts. What were they to do? In some cases the Law required death for their many transgressions. In some cases the Law required that they should be cut off from the people of God, yet they are the people of God. They had offended God in so many ways in their failure. When was the last time that I wept over my sin? Or is it that I defend my sin? They wept.
Who is this God who makes us weep and then joyful? What an amazing response by Ezra, Nehemiah and the leaders.

Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. 10Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” 11So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.

Why were they instructed to not grieve? Because their weeping was clear evidence of repentance. Once repentance is achieved, it is time to walk in the lavish grace of God. This is the God we seek. He demands nothing less than perfection out of us. When we realize how far short we have fallen, if we truly are repentant, it produces great grief. He then ladles, pours, yes even floods us with His grace, which abounds in joy! But we cannot reverse the order! Without true repentance, there cannot be true joy. Lord, help me not to be defensive when my sin is pointed out, but let me repent for I need your joy.
Today’s people think it hatred to speak concerning sin. But if I don’t speak concerning sin, then repentance will not come. Until I/we repent, God does not fill us with His joy.
Who is this God who makes us weep and then joyful? He is the God who tells us the truth about the offensiveness of our sin for the purpose of leading us to repentance. After repentance, He floods us with Himself. He is joy! Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!
--Pastor john