Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
—Nehemiah 8:7-12
by: Angie Osborn.
Have you ever known Christians who always look and act as though they have just taken a big, juicy bite out of a very sour apple? Somewhere along the line, many people got the idea that good Christians have to be somber. After all, God's work in our lives is so serious that we could not possibly think about enjoying it, right? WRONG!
The Israelites were weeping as they listened to the Law. But Nehemiah instructed them instead to have a party. They were told to enjoy choice food and sweet drinks. They were not to grieve and mourn, but rather to rejoice. There are times in the Christian life when we should/must grieve. There are times when our hearts should break along with God's. But there are also many times when we should throw our heads back, laugh, and remember that the joy of the Lord is our strength.