READING: Nehemiah 11-13
I can see in my mind and hear in my ears the celebrating in today’s text. Two processions of people walked around the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem, and they all rejoiced at what God had led them to do. Indeed, read these words and see and hear the events with me:
- “At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sent for the Levites wherever they lived and brought them to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.” (Neh 12:27)
- “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.” (Neh 12:42-43)
- So joyously raucous was the celebrating, in fact, that, “Jerusalem’s rejoicing was heard far away” (Neh 12:43).
In these days of social media-influenced controversy and turmoil among the people of God, how I pray that God would do something among us so magnificent that the only thing the world hears is loud rejoicing. May He call us to joy that reverberates among our neighbors and the nations!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How joy-filled are you today?
DAILY PRAYER: “’Remember me, my God, with favor’ (Neh 13:31). Fill me with joy that honors You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Esther 1-5