Verse of the Day 7/20

Verse of the Day 7/20

Nehemiah 8:10   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."   English Standard Version (ESV)

For today's verse we'll continue our consideration of contentment and go to the book of Nehemiah who directed the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.  The verse doesn't contain the word "contentment" but that sentiment comes through in the words of the author. 

Nehemiah and Ezra the scribe had just delivered a message from God's word that "cut to the heart" regarding the sins of the people, but instead of sending them away with a guilty conscience, he encouraged and challenged them to move forward and build relying on the grace, strength and joy of the Lord.  In essence he was calling on them to be content, the city walls needed to be and would be rebuilt, but for today they were to be rest in the Lord and celebrate.

The Message paraphrase for verse 10 states, "Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them."  Wouldn't every preacher like to be able to say that after delivering a message that "cut to the heart"?

A. W. Tozer writes, "I have said it a hundred times: The reason we have to search for so many things to cheer us up is the fact that we are not really joyful and contentedly happy within....But we are Christians, and Christians have every right to be the happiest people in the world." Tragedy in the Church: The Missing Gifts, 10,11. Tozer

Nehemiah's message was very similar to what King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, I'll end with his words.

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

⁸ Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.

⁹ Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. ¹⁰ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might,

English Standard Version (ESV)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Nehemiah 8:9-12The Message (MSG)

⁹ Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, "This day is holy to God, your God. Don't weep and carry on." They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation.

¹⁰ He continued, "Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don't have anything: This day is holy to God. Don't feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!"

¹¹ The Levites calmed the people, "Quiet now. This is a holy day. Don't be upset."

¹² So the people went off to feast, eating and drinking and including the poor in a great celebration. Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them.