Nehemiah 7:66–8:18, 1 John 5:6–12, Psalm 110:1–7
After the walls of Jerusalem were repaired in the days of
Nehemiah, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites read from the book, from
the Law of God with clarity so the people understood the reading. They said, “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 Ezra said, “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 8:8–12)
These people heard the Word of the Lord and it produced
great emotion. Weeping indicates both sorrow and joy, sorrow for sin and joy
that God continued to be with them, even speak to them in spite of their many
failures. His Word reminded them to keep the feast days and celebrate their
history with Him.
“And all the assembly of those
who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in the booths, for
from the days of Jeshua the son of Nun to that day the people of Israel had not
done so. And there was very great rejoicing. And day by day, from the first day
to the last day, he read from the Book of the Law of God. They kept the feast
seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly, according to the
rule.” (Nehemiah 8:17–18)
Historically, this assembly often drifted into mere ritual,
and that is the danger of ritual. I can go to church, attend our small group
meetings, even have devotions and it becomes a routine, not meaningful and
without the sorrow and joy that characterized this assembly and my dealings
with God at the best of times. However, without the ritual, it is easy to
forget the great truths that are my anchor in Christ, truths from the Word of
God that are often demonstrated in the rituals. It is good to celebrate what
God has done!
As I read from the New Testament, I think of the value of
repeating truth. I have difficulty with focus. Being easily distracted means I
struggle in several areas with a lack of stability. One of them is in
remembering who I am and what is mine in Christ. The ‘accuser’ takes advantage
of this, so the ritual of repeating what I believe becomes a weapon against his
lies.
“Whoever believes in the Son
of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him
a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne
concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not
have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:10–12)
Because I believe in Jesus Christ, I have eternal life.
This is not my doing. Because I believe in Jesus, He lives in me. I have His
life. It is good to celebrate who I am in Jesus Christ!
The last reading arrested my attention too. Even though
I’ve read this many times and know that it refers to the Messiah, for a moment
I heard the Lord speaking the same words to me . . .
The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make
your enemies your footstool.” The Lord
sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!
Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy
garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
The Lord has sworn and will not
change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
(Psalm 110:1–4)
I am not the Messiah, but when I sit near the Lord because
of His grace, He is putting my spiritual enemies under my feet. I am victorious
over sin, filled with His energy as one who is young, and able to function as a
priest for God (or do whatever else He might ask). The key is staying by His
side, enjoying Him, celebrating the facts of my salvation — in both sorrow over
sin and with great joy that He is my Redeemer!
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