I have, unfortunately, heard this verse quoted by well-meaning people as they apologize for their tears at the loss of one they loved. They will say, “I know I shouldn’t grieve, for the joy of the Lord is my strength.” When you understand the setting in which Nehemiah spoke these words, you come to understand that it is saying nothing about what we should feel at such moments in our lives.

The people of Israel had returned from exile in Babylon. Ezra and Nehemiah are engaged with the people in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah brings the people together to hear the words of Moses. He wants them to remember all that God had done for them, why they were a special, called-apart people, and what God required from them.

As Ezrah reads and explains Moses’ words, some began to weep because they realized that they were not following God’s word. Nehemiah says, “Do not weep, this day is Holy to the Lord. Eat, send food to those who do not have any. Don’t be sad because the joy from the Lord is your strength.” They're coming to an awareness of their failings and with it the resolve to do better should be a time of joy, not sadness.

This reminds me of when our children were small. They had committed some infraction. We would sit down and talk about what they had done, why it was wrong, and the consequences of their actions. Usually, after some tears, but more importantly, requests for forgiveness and pledges to do better, we would hug and in that moment they felt reassured and went away, not in sorrow, but in joy.

This warm hug is what God offers to each of us. When we confess, we are not to dwell on our mistakes with tears and grief, but instead to hear the words of forgiveness and love. And, like my children, we are to turn to the future filled with joy. Through God’s forgiveness, we are strengthened to face the future and, like the people of Israel, we are encouraged to share this joy with others.

Loving God, we are so grateful that you love us, forgive us, and teach us. Remind us when we fail that you are with us and in your presence, and we find strength and joy. AMEN.

This devotional was written by Bill Green and read by Joey Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

My favorite photographic subject is fall color. I am blessed to live near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most beautiful displays of fall color on the planet. During leaf season, I love to get in the car, drive around the park, and let the photography come to me. A few years ago, on one of these drives, I pulled off at a turnout with a stunning view of the Chimney Tops, bare granite rising out of a range built almost entirely of forest. Below the peaks, that forest was on fire with red and orange, and I made a few frames I was happy with. Keepers.

Before I moved on, I remembered something I learned from photographer Jay Maisel. He said, "If the light is great in front of you, turn around and see what it's doing behind you."

I turned around. The sun was low behind the trees, and golden sunlight was pouring through the sugar maples and yellow birches along the road, lighting each leaf from behind so it glowed against the dark trunks. It took my breath. The pictures I made in the next few minutes were better than anything else I got that day.

In John chapter 4, the disciples had come to get something too. They were walking with Jesus, north from Judea to Galilee, and the road took them through Samaria. Around noon they stopped at Jacob's well, outside the town of Sychar. Jesus was tired from the walk and sat down to rest by the well while the disciples went into town to buy food.

While they were gone, a woman met Jesus at the well, and her conversation with him changed her life. She hurried home with a message: "Come and see." Now the townspeople were coming out across the fields toward him. The disciples returned from the town with food, but Jesus looked past them at the road.

"Rabbi, eat," they said. Jesus answered, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." The disciples looked at one another. "Has anyone brought him something to eat?" Then Jesus said, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work." And he turned their attention from the bread in their hands to the grain in the fields.

"There are yet four months, then comes the harvest" sounds like a farmer's saying, a way of telling each other it isn't time yet. Jesus doesn't argue with the calendar. He says, "Look."

The word John uses is idou. It isn't a word for quiet observation. It grabs you by the sleeve and points: Look here! It's the same thing Jay Maisel says. Turn around! You might be missing it!

Then Jesus says it twice more: lift up your eyes, and see. The fields are ripe. The disciples had their backs to the harvest. It was coming across the field toward them, ready, while they held out bread and talked about four months from now. Jesus grabbed them by the shoulders and turned them around to see what mattered more.

Those trees behind me were glowing the whole time I was shooting the Chimney Tops. The best harvest of the afternoon was behind me, waiting for me to notice. I didn't see it until I heard Maisel’s words in my head, turned around, and saw something better.

Lord of the harvest, turn us around. Lift our eyes from what we want, and let us see the people you are bringing up the road. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.

Fear is an emotional state that can lead to panic. It is a natural reaction to things that threaten us, things we cannot understand, things that can harm. Our world is filled with things that potentially could threaten us. Our world is filled with things we do not understand at first glance. Our world is filled with things that might or might not cause us harm.

But, the world is also filled with things that nurture and feed us. The world is filled with things we come to know and love. The world is filled with things that help us.

“Do Not Fear” is not shared as a polite request, nor does God try to explain to us why fear doesn’t lead to positive and loving actions. God commands us, “Do not fear.” God’s reason is simple. He tells us, “I am with you.”

The Lord also tells us, “do not be dismayed.” The word dismay means to be stripped of our strength. Do not allow the world and the unknown to strip away the strength that is with us if we allow it. Do not let the absence of understanding lead us to weak actions and words.

God knows that humans’ first response is often negative- filled with fear, filled with resistance, filled with helplessness. So what is his advice? As any parent might do, God encourages.

When something happens, when something appears, when we face an unknown, stop and gather the strength of God that is all around you. Stop, look, and listen. God will show you, lead you, and strengthen you. The way forward may be challenging, but each step can be filled with the love and support of our Father. If we stop for a moment, breathe in, and exhale a prayer, then may we be filled with the love, strength, and grace of our Lord that will allow us to respond in love and not in fear of the unknown path before us. If we open our eyes, heart, and mind to what God shares with us, then we will get to know and understand what lies before us. We can use that understanding to react with grace and love instead of fear and hate.

Today, let us pray together a prayer we can repeat in each moment where we feel fear and dismay. Father, in moments where we feel weak, help us to still our heart and breathe in. In that breath, fill us with Your spirit, and may we exhale a prayer that You will guide us and strengthen us. In all moments, help us see Your love all around us so that we do not fear what we do not understand. Amen.

This devotion was written by Jill Pope and read by Susan Daves.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.