The Preaching of God's Word: How Does That Make You Feel? Nehemiah 8:8-12

1. The Reading of God's Word
Nehemiah 8:8 - So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.
After many days of building and restoring the walls of Jerusalem, the people of Israel gathered together and called for the Word of God to be read to them. God's Word was declared distinctly. They "gave the sense" that is they made what they were reading come alive to the people. They helped them to understand what God's word had to say to them. You might say, they talked some sense into them.

2. The Response of God's People Nehemiah 8:9-10 - And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
This should be the typical response when we get a clear glimpse of our lives compared to a holy righteous God. As the law was being read, conviction was setting in on the congregation. They could not help but cry for their wickedness and sinfulness.

3. The Rejoice of God's Mercy
Nehemiah 8:11-12 - Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. 11 So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. 12 And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
Ezra encouraged the people that this was a day of rejoice in God's mercy. It was a day of restoration. Yes, there had been mistakes. Yes, God exiled his people, Israel, because of their stubbornness and rebellion, but today focus was on God goodness and mercy in bring Israel back into the Promised Land.
When we see ourselves compared to God, it should cause us to weep tears of sadness, because we fall so short of the mark. However, we must also remember that we are not saved because of any good work that we have done. Jesus Christ did it all for us, and this should cause us to rejoice. May God's work at Calvary be our joyous strength today.
Sunday Pastor Andy said, "God doesn't tolerate sin, therefore, there was a Calvary, but God does tolerate people, therefore there was a Calvary." You see, sin should cause us to weep, because of its devastating effect on my Savior, but praise God sin no longer can hold me down because Christ Jesus became sin for us, he who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteous of God in him. - 2 Corinthians 5:21