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." (Nehemiah 8:10, ESV)
The words they had heard did remind them that God punishes sin, but also that God blesses obedience. That was reason to celebrate. They had NOT been utterly destroyed as a nation, in SPITE of their sin, and were, by God’s grace, on the brink of a new beginning. Our God promises us joy!
And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,—Exodus 34:6 (NKJV)
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.—Psalm 16:8-11
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.—2 Cor 4:17-18
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