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All the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had given to Israel. Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept when 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 of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:13, 5-6, 8-10)
Imagine being at your lowest. For some it's not imagination, it's reality. You're feeling defeat or rejection; you're at the lowest of the low in your life. Where can you turn? The people of God when they found themselves in this situation turned upward, to the word of God. They gathered with humble hearts and hungry spirits, to hear what God might say to them. And in a spirit of joyful reception, they heard God speak of the way we should live, and as their spirits and attitudes began to soar, they began to weep tears of joy. They realized any day spent in the word of God is a holy day, a day of great celebration. And they heard God through the prophet say, "This day is holy to our Lord; do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Dear friend, look upward always, but especially when you feel at your weakest, and remember that your strength will come through the joy of the Lord. And that joy is found in the worship of God, the reading of God's word, the prayers you lift up praising God.
PRAYER: Loving God, as we pray, lift up those who are down. Strengthen those who are weak. Let us all rise up from our prayer and devotional time with new strength, new joy, new attitudes; all ready to serve You. This we pray in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
