Nehemiah 8:9-18 ~ This day is holy to God, your God

Nehemiah 8:9-18

 ~ The Message

⁹ Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, "This day is holy to God, your God. Don't weep and carry on." They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation. 

¹⁰ He continued, "Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don't have anything: This day is holy to God. Don't feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!" 

¹¹ The Levites calmed the people, "Quiet now. This is a holy day. Don't be upset."

¹² So the people went off to feast, eating and drinking and including the poor in a great celebration. Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them.

^13-15 On the second day of the month the family heads of all the people, the priests, and the Levites gathered around Ezra the scholar to get a deeper understanding of the words of The Revelation. They found written in The Revelation that God commanded through Moses that the People of Israel are to live in booths during the festival of the seventh month. So they published this decree and had it posted in all their cities and in Jerusalem: "Go into the hills and collect olive branches, pine branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and any other leafy branches to make booths, as it is written."

^16-17 So the people went out, brought in branches, and made themselves booths on their roofs, courtyards, the courtyards of The Temple of God, the Water Gate plaza, and the Ephraim Gate plaza. The entire congregation that had come back from exile made booths and lived in them. The People of Israel hadn't done this from the time of Joshua son of Nun until that very day—a terrific day! Great joy!

¹⁸ Ezra read from the Book of The Revelation of God each day, from the first to the last day—they celebrated the feast for seven days. On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly in accordance with the decree.

A long millenniums path of Thanksgiving.

Bringing Jesus with Joy into each Day.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”


Giving back, even in attitude, toward one another.

Doing for each other. Pleasing the Lord.


Our Father,

Help us as we gather with family and friends to give joy, encouragement, love, peace earnestly and sincerely. Give us effective communications. To do the work of an abiding peace. Pleasing You with our attitudes. Working through prayer requests to understand the motivations. Being sincere to the core.

Seeing with Gratitude how far - You - Father of All - Give to us each day. Ancient Days, God Almighty. How far You have gone to have relationship with us individually. Abba.

We ask You to bless those we Love to know Your Great Love. We thank You for the care You hear our concerns. We will pray knowing Your willingness. And have this time to recharge our Joy. Thank You for Your blessings in our lives.


In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †