S) "44 On that day men were also appointed over the chambers for the stores, the contributions, the first fruits and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions required by the law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who served. 45 For they performed the worship of their God and the service of purification, together with the singers and the gatekeepers in accordance with the command of David and of his son Solomon."
Nehemiah 12:44-45 (NASB)
O) This passage does fall under instruction, although it was certainly according to the Old Covenant (see "required by the law"). This whole chapter is a sort of summary about how things were getting back to how they should have been. In this paragraph, this little phrase caught my eye, "for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who served." Everything was very new to this generation. They were dedicating themselves as individuals, with a devotion they had probably never had. They were rededicating themselves as a nation, with a devotion they had probably only ever read about. No doubt, this enhanced the zeal with which they were restarting their obedience.
A) To be sure, I cannot live on hype. Still, newness is exciting. When I began really serving God as an adult, I had an irresistible zeal. As the years have moved, and I have matured, the feeling of newness has dissipated. Still, my devotion to Jesus must be like my devotion to my wife. I don't love my wife according to feelings, and neither do I serve my Lord that way. In my marriage, I make conscious decisions to celebrate, both my wife and my marriage. The same should be true about my relationship with God. In my family, when someone does something good, I make the decision to rejoice. Sure, the decision is easy, based on all of my invested emotions (when Ella was first chosen to go to Chile, I was naturally ecstatic!), but it's still something I'm choosing. So, while much of the instruction from this passage does not apply to me, under the New Covenant, that one phrase certainly sticks out. I should be choosing to rejoice, over preachers and teachers who serve. I should choose to rejoice, when a missionary is sent and a small group is started. I often overlook these types of events, or people, because they can seem so commonplace. The truth is, however, that every instance that a brother or sister does something for Jesus Christ, anything big or small, it is an occasion to rejoice. God's Kingdom is advancing, people are maturing in their faith, and His name is being glorified!
P) Father, You should be a celebrity, in the most holy sense! You deserve celebration, if anyone would, or anything could be. When I think about Your grace and mercy, I am sobered. At the same time, I am filled with joy, knowing Your all-encompassing love! Even so, I do not rejoice about the services of others, especially when they feel routine. However, I don't want to live my life based on feelings. I want to make right decisions, based on what You call good or bad, righteous or unrighteous, holy or profane. Help me to recognize more occasions for rejoicing. Let me be an encourager of everything that glorifies Your name! Let Your will be done, and let me celebrate it every step of the way, no matter how small the step. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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