For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:9-10)
Our Society has not made much room for the concept of repentance. We New Englanders are an “Irreconcilable bunch” who consider, challenge, or ignore, yet we don’t often repent. Part of this is due to our misunderstanding of what repentance is. We have turned it into a shame-filled recounting of every wrong thing you have done, leading to destruction. Yet passages like this remind me that repentance is a profound conviction that we need to turn away from our own way and embrace God’s way. There is room for conviction, but no room for shame. In fact, the most critical fuel that you can have for a journey of repentance (according to Nehemiah) is Joy.
One of the reasons Nehemiah said this is that finding a “better way” is genuinely worth celebrating. If God’s way truly is better, then discovering and pursuing it cannot be a thing of shame. It must be a thing of conviction, of turning, but ultimately, of Joy.
Take 20 minutes today to sit in silence and listen to God’s Spirit. What is God calling you to turn from? What is God calling us to turn from? If the Spirit leads you to genuine, heartfelt conviction over something you had previously turned to, I would like to make a case that you are Biblically mandated to celebrate with Ice Cream (Nehemiah 8:10)
Prayer Prompt: God, I give my way over to you regarding _______________, I turn, and I embrace your way. Please, give me the joy of discovering that your way truly is the better one.
Song of the Day: House of the Lord - PhilWickham
