Nehemiah Challenge - Day Eight

Hello my dear family,

I enjoy this chapter because it reminds us to keep everything in proper order. God was faithful to the Jews, enable and empowering them to rebuild their city wall and the first thing they did once their labor was completed was read HIS law and rejoice as HE had instructed them.

They spent a day listening to the law of the Lord and when they found areas where they had strayed from His commands they wept. Then, their priest and leader encouraged them, the time for weeping is past. Let's start over and start right from here on out. So, according to the word of God they restored the feast of booths.

The feast of booths (also known as the feast of tabernacles or sukkot) is our great earthly rehearsal for that time when we rejoice at the wedding feast of our Savior. It is a time when we celebrate the harvest God has given us as a symbol of the harvest of all souls which we will celebrate with Him in heaven.

What a perfect way to rejoice in God's work! As they Israelites celebrated God's faithfulness to them, they in turn, rejoiced in all He has yet to accomplish. They turned their back on the mistakes and rebellions of their past and moved fully and completely, as one nation with one purpose, toward our God.

This is where we stand, as a family of believers. What's done is done. What's past is past. Let us move together now, in one accord, in the center of God's will. Let's return to His word, to His promises and follow where He leads.

"...this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10b)

The Nehemiah Challenge continues tomorrow with chapter 9. Don't give up now. Let's keep running the race!

Your friend and servant,
Elise