Setting – Dedication of the wall
Content – Chapter list the names of the Levites who represented families. They were asked to assist in the celebration (v. 27-28 NLT) “During the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, the Levites throughout the land were asked to come to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies. They were to take part in the joyous occasion with their songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, lyres, and harps. 28 The singers were brought together from Jerusalem and its surrounding villages and from the villages of the Netophathites” It was a grand celebration (v. 43 NLT) “Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away”
Application – The work was hard to complete the wall. Now the people celebrated. I’m not sure that we as Christians celebrate enough. We are hard at work accomplishing God’s will, but I think we put the celebration of God’s accomplishments low on the priority list. Aside from celebrating accomplishments, we should be ones to celebrate God’s mercy, grace and love toward us. We need to be reminded that our worship in church is one avenue of celebration as a congregation. Life is hard, celebration reminds us of the joy that we can have and what awaits us in heaven.
Content – Chapter list the names of the Levites who represented families. They were asked to assist in the celebration (v. 27-28 NLT) “During the dedication of the new wall of Jerusalem, the Levites throughout the land were asked to come to Jerusalem to assist in the ceremonies. They were to take part in the joyous occasion with their songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, lyres, and harps. 28 The singers were brought together from Jerusalem and its surrounding villages and from the villages of the Netophathites” It was a grand celebration (v. 43 NLT) “Many sacrifices were offered on that joyous day, for God had given the people cause for great joy. The women and children also participated in the celebration, and the joy of the people of Jerusalem could be heard far away”
Application – The work was hard to complete the wall. Now the people celebrated. I’m not sure that we as Christians celebrate enough. We are hard at work accomplishing God’s will, but I think we put the celebration of God’s accomplishments low on the priority list. Aside from celebrating accomplishments, we should be ones to celebrate God’s mercy, grace and love toward us. We need to be reminded that our worship in church is one avenue of celebration as a congregation. Life is hard, celebration reminds us of the joy that we can have and what awaits us in heaven.
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