The Joy of the Lord

 

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and 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 or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “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 our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. (Nehemiah 8:9-12 ESV).

 

In the days of riverboats and single-sheet newspapers, the American humorist Mark Twain tried to squelch a rumor. He wrote, “The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” It’s hard to see how such a rumor could be only a little true, but some rumors are that way. Christians often have the reputation of being glum, ridden by guilt. Though I believe such descriptions are often exaggerated, we have to admit that there is some truth in the stereotype. Like the Jews of Ezra and Nehemiah’s day, we often grieve over our sins. We are shamed by that which God has already forgiven through the work of Christ on the cross.

 

Of course we should be cognizant of the things we learn from our failures; however, that exercise is often overdone. Here in our Scripture reading, God’s people have been saved from exile and are beginning to rebuild their lives. Ezra comforts them and calls them to joy. Isaiah’s words are being fulfilled: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for” (Isaiah 40:1-2). And if this speaks to exiles who returned to Jerusalem, how much more does it speak to us, who have been brought out of the exile of sin by the redemption of Jesus Christ.

 

I like the Wisdom of Solomon: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22).  Perhaps your past is full of shame and regret. Your present, if you are a child of God, should be nothing like that. When God looks at us He sees His perfect Son, Jesus. He sees the One who paid the debt we could never pay, and died the death we deserved. This is the joy of salvation. This should be the strength to push ahead. The grim and severe attitude of the legalist has no place in the community of the redeemed. Rejoice today, our salvation has come!