Nougat 2

Hi

Ever heard the story of the little girl and the donkey? – where she saw a donkey and thought it was a Christian? Hmmmn hmm; she only knew long-faced Christians, and … you know! Today’s Holy Nougat mentions no donkeys, but it invites us to consider another way.

“And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”” Nehemiah 8:10 NLT

Things were not perfect for the Israelites; in fact they were hearing and understanding the Law for the first time in forever. Having just returned from exile, God’s Word was being read in their own space and perhaps some were overcome, while others were convicted of the many laws they had broken. Nevertheless, they missed the significance of the moment – they were free to worship in their own temple!

Sounds like us some times huh. We are so caught up in legalese, that we fail to worship. Or, like the Woman at the Well when she just met Jesus; we are busy majoring on the minor, that we almost miss the celebration

With all the ‘stuff’ going on around us, what have we neglected to celebrate? Where have we missed out on joy? If the joy of the Lord is our strength; then maybe sadness; especially the depressed kind; is not good for us. Nor worry.

Not that we don’t experience them, but certainly we don’t entertain them and offer them long-term accommodations in our lives! Same as that!

Two songwriters – one biblical, the other more contemporary – remind us, ‘Though sorrow lasts for the night, Joy comes in the morning!’ (Psalm 30:5)

So let’s trade. For all the unsolved problems, the injustice, the wars … this day we celebrate the heroes God has placed on the journey so we could reach this far.

Here’s two very different praises to mobilize us –

May God’s joy strengthen us this Thursday for the tasks before us.

In Christ’s love and grace . . .