Memory Monday – Week 49

I’ve heard this verse, Nehemiah 8:10, many times but have never read the context around it. In Nehemiah 8:1-9 the people gathered as Ezra read God’s word. The word was presented so that the people could understand it – they were hungry to hear it and listened from dawn to dusk. In verse 10, because of the conviction of their own sin the people responded to what they heard by weeping. The tears were evidence that what they had heard stirred up in the heart. Even though it is good to be convicted of our own sin, we shouldn’t stay focused on it. Our awareness shouldn’t be on our own sin, but we should be focused on our Savior.

No matter what we are facing, whether it’s sin, a trial, or any other diffuclt situation that causes tears, we can trust that God is working in us and through us. Instead of weeping, we can be joyful. Despite what we are going through, God can continue to use us to do a great work. We can trust that on the very hard days the joy that comes from Him is our strength.

It was evident that the joy of the Lord captivated the people because in verse 12, the people understood the word that was spoken to them earlier and allowed the Lord to strengthen them which turned into them singing songs of praise and joy. Allow Him to do the same in your life – let his joy be your strength.