The children of Israel are not known for being perfect. Instead, they were people who struggled to maintain a healthy and pure relationship with God. Time and time again we see them seek their own ways and, many times, go against what God had instructed them to do. However, they were the people of God. They were His and He loved them.

In Nehemiah 8 we see Ezra reading the Book of the Law before the people while they listened attentively. As they listened to the word being read, the people began weeping as they were overcome with condemnation or a sense of guilt for their unfaithfulness to the Lord. They realized that their lives and behavior were not in harmony with the law and that produced a great sadness within them. Ezra the priest, Nehemiah the governor, and the Levites who were instructing the people reassured them of God's forgiveness and, in other words, told them to celebrate that! Nehemiah then tells them that, "The joy of the Lord is their strength."

I love reading this passage because it paints such a vivid picture of how God confronts us with our sin, brings us to repentance, and then we see the joy that God feels by being reunited with his people. We can find forgiveness and strength to move forward in the joy of the Lord! His love for us is so amazing.

How many times have we felt separated from God because of the sin we have allowed in our lives? Too often, we get discouraged with our actions and want to come back to God, but we feel that we are not worthy anymore and, many times, stay in our state of sin. I want to assure you, my friend, that God wants you. He loves you. When He brings our sin to our attention it is because he longs to restore us and our relationship with him. It is our opportunity to confess our failures and experience God's grace and compassion. The joy of the Lord is found when we accept his forgiveness and grace that reunites us with him and leads us to restoration.

Suggested prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love and undeserved forgiveness. Thank you that although I fail and often stray from your will, you lovingly allow me to experience your joy through restoring me. I ask that you confront me with any sin in my life that may be hindering my relationship with you. May I always seek to be obedient to you and enjoy your presence in my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.

1.   Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV).

Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.