The Gospel Gives Us Strength

The book of Nehemiah gives us a picture of how the law and gospel work together for our benefit, even though it may not seem so at the time. One of the first things that God brought to the forefront of my attention during Pastor Ellery's gospel message is that God’s rescue plan for Israel in the past and for us today don't look like a rescue at all.
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During the time of Nehemiah, the Israelite exiles were returning to their land, trying to get re-established after seventy years of captivity in Babylon. But the exile was not necessarily a bad thing. You see, before the exile the nation of Israel had collectively turned their backs God. There was rampant idolatry, political corruption, and a complete lack of morality. They had even lost the Law of God - their Bible (2 Chron 34:8). So God rescued them by sending them into captivity in a foreign land (Jer 29:11).

During that time of exile, the Law of God - the commandments given by God to Moses for the people - was compiled and edited. Also, due to their captivity, the people were once again looking to God for their deliverance as they had done so often before during trying times.
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​When Nehemiah came to Jerusalem and rebuilt the walls, we see in Nehemiah 8 that the people gathered to hear the words of the Law that had been so long forgotten. This had a profound effect on the crowd, as they wept as Ezra the priest read them the Law (Nehemiah 8:9). They wept because they heard the law and knew they had not followed it.
And this is what the Law does to all of us, it show us how sinful we are. The Law gives us the standard by which God measures us and shows us how far we all fall short (Romans 3:23).

But that is where it stops, the law can do nothing to rectify our condition. That is where the gospel - the good news - comes in to the scene through Nehemiah 8:9-10. He told the people not to mourn and weep, but to eat and drink and share with others. He told them not to grieve because the day was holy to the Lord, and that is what they did. Nehemiah knew that being joyful in God, through a word of good news, is what would give them strength.

“This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” - Nehemiah 8:9-10

The rescue plan for us is just as unorthodox as Nehemiah telling the people to eat, drink and share with those who were without. When we realize our sinful condition and how far we always fall short, we are undone, crushed under the weight of our guilt and shame. But God in His grace does not leave us there. Just as Nehemiah provided grace to the people by telling them not to grieve but to throw an all-inclusive party, God shows us His grace by sending Jesus to take our place. He took our sin upon Himself and satisfied the judgment of God for us. God forgives and declares us righteous because of what Jesus did for us. This good news is what allows us to partake of His joy and gives us the strength to overcome.

So when we are slapped in the face with the reality of the Law - that once again we came up short, got tripped up, or went off the rails because we just wanted to - we can rest peacefully in the truth that God loves us, gave His Son for us, and has forgiven us. Just as the people followed Nehemiah's instructions in Nehemiah 8:12, and left to celebrate, we have been given cause to celebrate and invite others into the glorious work of Christ for us.

   And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing. - Nehemiah 8:12

John Clark

John Clark is a husband to Julie, a father of one son living in Valrico, Florida. He has an Associate Degree of Theology from Life Christian University, and serves at Life Center of Brandon where he is a teacher and writer