Sacred Day

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Yesterday, K-LOVE’s encouraging verse of the day was Nehemiah 8:10, which reads in the NLT: “This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” While it was an encouragement to me yesterday—a rainy, post-Thanksgiving Monday back at school—it became more a thought to chew on in context of the whole chapter. When the people heard God’s Word read and translated so that they could understand it, they were absolutely devastated by the truths contained in the Law because it pointed out their sin. They were so devastated over their lack of observance of God’s Law that Nehemiah and Ezra had to encourage them with these words. Likewise, my sin, when revealed by time spent in God’s word, often overwhelms me, yet unlike the people of Jerusalem, I am without excuse. There is no language barrier—the translation has already been completed for me. There is no lack of access to God’s word--I have multiple access points and copies all over my house. I have not been held captive in a strange land and recently returned to a home I’ve never known or been absent from for generations--indeed, I'm far to comfortable in it to be a stranger to my world. There is simply no excuse when I turn away from God’s truth. So…while I was encouraged by the idea that each day is a sacred day before our Lord and that I should let my joy be found in Him, I was convicted, as I am each time I read this passage, by the hunger and thirst for God’s word that his people demonstrated. I need more of this attitude!

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