READING: Nehemiah 11-13, Acts 15:1-21
“Then the singers sang, with Jezrahiah as the leader.On that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy. The women and children also celebrated, and Jerusalem’s rejoicing was heard far away” (Neh 12:42-43).
God had been with the people. With His help, they had finished and dedicated the wall of Jerusalem. Now, the people were filled with great joy, and they could not help but sing. The men celebrated. The women celebrated. The children joined them in the celebration. Generations rejoiced together – and their singing echoed through the city. In fact, “their rejoicing was heard far away” (Neh 12:43).
How I wish our contemporary churches would learn to rejoice this way, too. We too often either (1) take credit for what’s happened or (2) fear what others would think if we celebrated too much that we fail to let our joy be known. We miss the opportunity for others near and far to hear us sing God’s praises.
PRAYER: “Lord, increase my joy—and help me to celebrate!”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Take time today to celebrate what God has done in your life by telling somebody else (even another believer) about it. Rejoice together for a few moments.
TOMORROW’S READING: Esther 1-4, Acts 15:22-16:10