(Nehemiah 8:1-12) In Nehemiah 8, revival breaks out as the people, freshly restored in their identity prompt Ezra to read and teach the Law. As they hear it, they are deeply convicted, leading to collective repentance, yet Nehemiah and the Levites remind them that sorrow alone cannot sustain devotion. Instead, they must move forward in the assurance of God’s forgiveness, for true strength comes not from endless mourning but from the joy of the Lord. This joy—rooted in God’s delight over His people—propels them into a renewed life of obedience, not out of fear, but with boldness and confidence in His love. Revival is not merely about turning from sin but about stepping fully into the freedom and strength found in God’s joy.