And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God.
Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law; and the people stood in their place. 8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.
9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, 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.
10 Then 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.”
11 So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” 12 And 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.—Nehemiah 8:5-12 (bolding mine)
These inspired words of Nehemiah have always had a special place in my heart. Truly, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. The word of God brings conviction to the heart that receives it with meekness (no argument) and leads the hearer to repentance. The same word that brings the sorrow that leads to repentance also brings the joy (good tidings of great joy) that brings healing.
Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16).
“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps. 19:8).
“Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart” (Ps. 119:111).
Contemplating these verses from Nehemiah brought me back 30 years to the moment where God reached down and saved me. The joy that I felt then and continue to feel now 30 years later is impossible to put into words. Joy entered my heart (and never left) on that fateful night so many years ago because I BELIEVED what God said in His word and wanted it in my life. Today and every day since that fateful day I have, by His Spirit, done the same. Beloved..Joy is always the result when we believe God…when we take each one of His promises for our own and obey Him. Sorrow is still a constant companion, but we serve a God who by His power transforms our sorrow into joy.
My testimony is below…
I am going to go back here to the moment of my salvation...the moment it became completely evident to me that something inside of me had changed dramatically and that I WAS NOT responsible for that change. I had gone through many self-help books both from the library and bookstores....I FINALLY cried out to God and bought a bible. I had tried reading the bible many times in my life. The strangest thing for me was that I could read anything else and understand what I was reading...but I had never understood the Bible. I always had to put it back on the shelf because it was like I was reading another language...there simply was no understanding. I did not have ears to hear. (I figured it was the Bible’s fault, not mine . đŸ˜€).
For some reason the Lord heard my cry this time and gave me the ears to hear His word. The Lord knows our hearts and must have known that this time I really did want His help. I remember coming home...sitting on the couch....opening the Bible up to Genesis 1 and before I reached Genesis Chapter 2 tears were streaming down my cheeks. The Spirit had spoken to my heart. I understood! Not just chapter 1 of Genesis but that He was my Rock in this world. He was my Portion. That this book I had in my hands was exactly what I needed. It was black and white, it was definite and most importantly it had answers. Truth truly resided here in this book. I knew at that moment that I could stand. I knew that I had what I needed to raise my family..to make it through life in this world. My eyes were opened to the God who created the universe and who also cared for me. Circumstances would change, emotions would change, my life would change but He would not. Jesus Christ the same today, yesterday and forever. He would be my guide, my strong tower, my help, my strength and my hope. I went from quicksand to the Rock. Psalm 40:1-3 speaks to me of what the my God did that day in my heart.
I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear; And will trust in the LORD.
It truly happened in the blink of an eye...and His word by His grace has never been far from my heart or my reach since.
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.—Psalm 16:11
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