Nehemiah IV
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.” (Nehemiah 8:10 ESV)
Guilt and Grace
As often happens, returning to God often brings feelings of guilt. Here, when the ex-exiles returned to Jerusalem and heard again (perhaps after 40 years of quiet!) God’s Word, they grieved, mourned, and knew their guilt.
We would expect Nehemiah to scowl approvingly. “FEEL GUILTY, YOU SCUM!!” we might imagine him proclaiming.
But Nehemiah does not say such things. Seeing their awareness of their wandering hearts, and hearing their expressions of sorrow, Nehemiah responds with the gospel.
Their guilt is now a chance for partying!
Not silly partying… not drunken revelry… but joyful celebration because GOD BROUGHT THEM BACK TO HIMSELF.
It ties in with the Messiah to come… but His Grace is already present.
God forgives His people.
When we feel guilt, that is a good thing. But it is good particularly when we move from sorrow to celebration… from tears to laughter… from weeping to rejoicing.
There is grace even in guilt.