WORK AND REST Nehemiah 8:8-12

This past Monday, the Men Ministry of St. Mark just completed five weeks of Bible Study based on the Old Testament book of Nehemiah. I had the privilege and the pleasure to be the leader of the group for that study. It was quite a rewarding experience as the men shared and learned from the scriptures and from each other. As we wrap up the study, we came to the part where Ezra, the Priest, read the Law to the people. They were grief stricken, probably having realized that they have not lived up to holy expectations. But, in a beautiful example of God’s grace, their leaders exhorted them to stop weeping, not because they weren’t sinful, but because “the joy of the LORD is your strength.” They could delight in the joy of the Lord because He is a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate.

I must confess that I am a hard worker, always mindful of my responsibilities, one who will not rest until all that I had to do is done to the very best of my ability. So, even now, supposedly in retirement, I still struggle with taking time and resources to spend on recreation and relaxation. However, in my consistent study of the Bible, including that latest Nehemiah study, I came to realize that God often instructed the people to take time from their work to celebrate and enjoy life. I am inviting you to meditate with me on Work and Rest.

In brief, Nehemiah was a layman who loved Jerusalem and the Temple, and he was concerned about the welfare of his people. He sincerely believed that God had called him to rebuild the wall of the city. He is a good example for all of us to follow in his devotion to duty, his discipline, and doing his work, his dedication to the Word of God, and his dependance on prayer. Against overwhelming odds, he encouraged the people to “rise up and build.” Their rapid completion of the wall around Jerusalem in a record 52 days has been an inspiration to countless Christians across the centuries who have faced the challenge of completing some major task to the glory of God.

I would like you to read what Nehemiah said after the completion of the wall during the marathon reading of the Book of the Law as they prepare themselves for its dedication in Nehemiah 8:10 “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

The fact is that we need times like this to rejuvenate ourselves so we can continue with life’s occupation and our work for the Lord. We read in Mark 6: 31-32 that even Jesus took his disciples away from ministering to a large crowd so they could be physically replenished. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest”, he said.
After a revival during Nehemiah’s days, God’s people were instructed to eat, drink, and celebrate. Then Nehemiah adds, “For the joy of the LORD is your strength”. Replenishing our bodies with rest and our souls with nourishment are spiritual disciplines that Christians need to follow so that we maintain the strength we need to follow God’s call on our lives.

Let us pray. Dear God, we praise you and we thank you for all the blessings: the past blessings that we don’t even remember any more; the present blessings that we don’t even recognize, taking them for granted; and the blessings yet to come, for you have promised never to leave us or forsake us. Provide us with nourishment, O Lord, physical emotional, and spiritual; rest, and recreation so we can have the resources to serve you and others joyfully. Amen.

By Rev. Franck Aguilh