This chapter of Nehemiah ties in with the law/sin dynamic I was sharing about yesterday.
All the people were gathered to hear the Book of the Law. When they received it, they wept. These tears were the evidence of the pain of correction.
Yet the sense of conviction should not be greater than the sense that God is doing a good and holy work in us, the tears do not to have the final say.
The word of God prompts revival.
Our sin is not bigger than our Savior. We are GREAT sinners, but He is a GREATER Savior!
Conviction in sin is the healthy response, but friends let’s not sit in that because we know that God is at work in us.
As the people chose to rejoice, so can we, praising God because His word brings conviction AND hope. --- 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
