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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I wish I could have been in the choirs who celebrated “the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres” (Neh 12:27). How wonderful it is to praise your name and rejoice before you with great joy. You are the God of restoration, the God of new beginnings! Great is your name and greatly to be praised! All honor and glory and power be to you! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the repopulation of Jerusalem and the dedication of the city walls. When the exiles returned to Judah, few actually lived in Jerusalem because the city lay in ruins. In Nehemiah’s day, some 93 years after the first return, the city was still unpopulated: “The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt” (Neh 7:4). However, with the rebuilding of the city walls came a renewed desire to live again in “the holy city” (Neh 11:1). The people cast lots to determine who would relocate, and they blessed the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. This teaches me the importance of being where you want me to be. Warren Wiersbe said, “Never under-estimate the importance of simply being physically present in the place where God wants you. You may not be asked to perform some dramatic ministry, but simply being there is a ministry. The men, women, and children who helped to populate the city of Jerusalem were serving God, their nation, and future generations by their step of faith.” Not long after the arrangements to repopulate the city, Nehemiah organized a dedication ceremony for the new walls. He appointed two great choirs, one for the right side of the city and one for the left. They marched on top of the walls and met at the temple. I love his idea of having the procession on top of the walls! After all, Tobiah had mocked their work: ‘Look at that wall! If a fox jumped on it, it would fall down!’ (Neh 4:3). I only hope he was there to see those two great choirs marching on top of the walls, singing as they walked toward the temple! This teaches me to leave the taunts and jeers of the world in your capable hands. You are more than able to make them eat their words! What a great day this was for the restored community. Nehemiah had been faithful to your call, the people responded in faith, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, the covenant was renewed, and the temple ministry was reorganized in harmony with your will. Reflection It must have been difficult to relocate to Jerusalem, but the people who volunteered seemed glad to serve you in this way. Would I be willing to leave my home if that’s what your Spirit asked me to do? Request Father, help me to be content with the place that you have called me to be. Give me the grace I need to labor cheerfully for you in my home, my neighborhood, my church, my city and my country. Thanksgiving Thank you for joy that comes from working for your Kingdom. I rejoice in the knowledge that you are working all things for my good and your glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “A Song of Praise” — Della Fry. Meditation Verse: Nehemiah 12:43. |