Rejoice In God

“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. 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." So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day [is] holy; do not be grieved." 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 8:9-12 NKJV)

Prior to this passage in Nehemiah 8:1-8 the people of God had stood until midday hearing the law of God. Hearing the law awakened their deep sense of national sin causing them to weep bitterly. Now the people are told to stop weeping and to rejoice for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Truly these two aspects of the Christian life work together. Self-examination and repentance are necessary, but rejoicing in our salvation is the place to which that repentance should lead us. The real root of joy is in our intimate relationship with Christ.

Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5.22), and the conduit for that fruit is faith. Therefore, Paul says, “. . . having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2 NKJV).

That means that joy is tied to our assurance. Our assurance is tied to our faith, and our faith must be rooted in God’s goodness. The greatest joy one can experience is to have God’s Spirit bear witness with your spirit that you are child of God.

Therefore, the people of God were encouraged to walk in the strength of joy, and not to despair over the past. Yes repent, but by faith receive the forgiveness God has bought you. You will be fit for service only if you can rejoice in your salvation.