The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / JOYFUL PRAISE AND WORSHIP

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 104 of 365 JOYFUL PRAISE AND WORSHIP Conditions in Jerusalem were dramatically better than when Nehemiah had arrived. Separated individuals had become a true people who, by God's grace, had achieved what had seemed impossible. Strong walls and protective gates had replaced rubble and burned timbers. Encouragement had overcome despair. It was a time to celebrate what God had accomplished through their faithfulness. Tobiah the Ammonite had mocked them, saying even the weight of a fox would cause their wall to crumble (Ne 4:3). Now the leaders of the people and two large choirs, accompanied by musicians, stood atop the walls playing instruments, singing loudly and offering thanksgiving. It was an incredible time of rejoicing. Such joy-filled celebration honors God and encourages even greater faith. This celebration, like the book of Psalms, underscores the importance of worship, singing and praise in the Old Testament, but these were no less important in the New Testament. One example is found in Philippians 2:5 - 11, seen by many as an early Christian hymn. These poetic words recounted and celebrated the example of Jesus' humility and obedience, even to the point of dying on the cross. Paul makes clear his purpose in sharing the hymn. It is not just remembrance but a call to action. The celebration of Jesus is also a call to follow Jesus' example. God-honoring celebration has the effect of encouraging greater obedience and a deeper faith. Jesus, thank you for the gift of music. Help me to use it to worship you, praise you, glorify you and draw closer to you. Amen. Nehemiah 12:27-30 NASB 27 Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps and lyres. 28 So the sons of the singers were assembled from the district around Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites, 29 from Beth-gilgal and from their fields in Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30 The priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates and the wall.