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Your words were found and I did eat them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart…Jeremiah 15:16
…The joy of the LORD is your strength. – Nehemiah 8:10
The Holy Bible chronicles Israel’s descent into rebellion and disobedience to God which resulted in a seventy year captivity in Babylon.
After their sentence had been fulfilled, so to speak, they were permitted to return to the holy land. It was there during the process of the restoration of the city that the scriptures were rediscovered.
The people were assembled and Ezra the priest read God’s word to them.
As a result, the people became very sorrowful because they realized how far away they had transgressed in departing from God’s commandments. This repentance turned their hearts back to the Lord.
Then Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites who were instructing them in God’s word and gave them the understanding of it, encouraged them to be joyful because the restoration of God’s word to the people was an occasion to be celebrated.
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy to our Lord: neither you be sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
Knowledge of God’s word brings joy to the seeking heart. The people at that time recognized that the words God had given them were for their benefit and protection. They understood that His law was an expression of His love and care for them, which contrasted with their own callousness toward Him.
The tears of their repentance mixed with tears of joy because God’s words were found and became the joy and rejoicing of their hearts.
If the Bible has been a neglected book in your home, I encourage you to rediscover the beautiful truth it contains and let it produce joy and rejoicing in your heart.
Copyright 2023 by H. D. Shively
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