Nehemiah 12:27-47
Well the wall Nehemiah set out to rebuild is done and now it's time for the dedication, and what we see is essentially a massive (and impressive) praise service. (Could you sense the excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd?) I thoroughly enjoyed this passage and was touched by it because I am an absolute music lover! I lead worship at my church and I sing every single day to the Lord. These verses gave us a wonderful picture of how music was used, and revealed the way songs, instruments and voices have been part of worship to, and celebration of, the Lord at least since the time of David and Asaph (vs. 46).
So what did this dedication/celebration show you about praising God? How did it compare to what you're used to doing? Tami W.
This so exciting. We have been remodeling our church,and we are going to have the dedication next Sunday. Oh how we praise the Lord for the things He has done. Many friend will be coming, to praise and worship God. Oh! there will be music that day. Former musicians are coming as well as visitors.
Here is one of my favorite verses in this portion of Nehemiah, "43... God had made the people very happy, and so on that day they celebrated and offered many sacrifices." It is important to me because the author is attributing happiness as a gift from God.
While the people where praising God for something positive there are times in my own life when I have been in negative situations and have somehow mustered up the strength to praise God while there the act of praising God has lifted my spirit.
I believe when we praise God our praise inspires the Holy Spirit to bless us with the gift of God's happiness.
Thank you for this wonderful Powered By 4 Post.
Grace and PEACE,
Gary
What a joy to know praise could be heard thru out Jerusalem with all the people celebrating the completion of the wall. This is a reminder that we are to enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise for the Lord is good and his love endures forever. To Praise God is the chief duty of man.
Have A Christ Centered Day!
Deborah
It's good to celebrate together and give thanks and praise to God. I think this passage is a good reminder for believers to celebrate together and give God the glory when we accomplish something for God. In so doing, we will be more connected with each other and it acts as an encouragement to continue on. Who doesn't like a good party with great music!
For sure, what I am used to is nothing like what happened with Nehemiah! It would be wonderful to join in that celebration!
Peace
Irene
What I appreciate about this passage is that, though the form and style is quite different from what we're used to, we see that praising our God is something that God's people have in common universally. No matter the age, race, or gender, no matter the time period, God's people have always given Him praise, and that's something that can connect us to His followers past, present, and future.
I get to lead the singing in church this Sunday morning and I'll use the concept Nehemiah wrote about where the people are divided up and sent to opposite walls and to sing from there. I'll try that with the doxology only instead of two parts I'll have three parts - and each will sing one line of the doxology and the fourth line will all be together (tutti). We'll do that three times, each time the lines sung will be alternated with the fourth line always being sung together.
PRAISE THE LORD!
Praise to God flows easily from a thankful heart. This passage reminds me to be "giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father " . Ephesians 5:20.