Our study in Proverbs for today is taken from Proverbs 17 and from Nehemiah 8.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)
Today’s devotion is about two men most believers don’t think about or may not even know about. Nehemiah and Ezra.
But I bet at least some of you know this scripture:
“…the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Do you know where this great encouragement is found in God’s Word?
If you guessed Nehemiah 8:10, you get a gold star. Most believers recognize the verse but not the scripture reference.
Nehemiah and Ezra trusted God. These men came to know early on that faith, obedience, and prayer were the keys to joy.
All devoted believers know, joy is the unshakeable attribute that no darkness can rob.
Joy only comes in the strength of the Lord.
Happiness comes and goes, but our joy in the Lord is constant.
The key verse for today from our study in Proverbs 17 is a reminder that we have a choice when we walk with God.
No matter what our days look like, we can be like Nehemiah and Ezra.
Though they lived through exile and loss, they found courage as strength in the promises of God.
But there is also a second part to that verse in Proverbs. Did you see it?
…a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
That verse applies to the people that Nehemiah and Ezra were leading. The Hebrews, recently freed from Babylonian captivity, were facing a time of repentance and restoration with God.
The people were grieved, not joyful. They were simply overcome with despair when faced with their sin.
There was not a bit of joy to be found.
Here is the context for you.
“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 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.”
So, the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.”
And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.”
Nehemiah 8:9-12 (ESV)
God doesn’t want us to live in perpetual sorrow over sin. He wants us to truly confess and repent of our sin. Then, forgiveness and restoration bring joy.
Nehemiah and Ezra were faithful and devoted to lead the people and to rebuild the city of Jerusalem and the wall of protection. They did it prayerfully and with joy.
Faith, obedience and prayer are necessary keys to joy.
Nehemiah is especially remembered as having constantly prayed. His prayers are filled with praise, thanksgiving, repentance, fervency, petition, intercession and more elements. Take the time to read these prayers.
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English Standard Version (ESV)
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 