The Lord is doing a good work and, bear with me, I've just got to preach it to somebody!
(Can I get an "Amen sister!")
Turn in your bibles to Nehemiah 8:10.
Now Nehemiah and Ezra and the Levites had just read God's law aloud to the Israelites. It had been forgotten for generations and, when they heard it, they were all convicted for the first time in their lives. They heard about a holy, holy ("he's not a tame lion") God and were weeping because their hearts were broken by conviction and repentance.
So, everybody pull out the sackcloth and ashes, right?
No! God calls for rejoicing!
"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)
Amazing, isn't it? I am amazed. :) God will never let us go, and for that I am so thankful. He keeps on us until we see and understand. Then, once we do, he gives us a command to rejoice! Rejoice before this holy God who has worked the miracle of salvation and then made us holy!
God is just stunning.
Love you all! :)
