September 22
Nehemiah 12:27-13:6, 5:14-19, 13:7-31; Malachi 1:1-2:9
What was the best party you ever attended? Maybe your wedding, a surprise birthday party, or a 50th wedding anniversary? When the walls of Jerusalem were completed, Israel threw a massive party. The purpose of the celebration was not about their own accomplishment but to celebrate the greatness and faithfulness of God. The description of the party band in Nehemiah 12 describes two separate choirs walking on top of the walls of the city as they praised God for all they had seen him do. This day could have been a celebration of the hard work of the Israelites or the sacrifices they had made; instead it was a time to remember all that God had done.
When something great happens in our life, how do we celebrate? Do we point to our own greatness and success, or do we direct attention away from us to God? James tells us every good gift comes from God, and in Colossians Paul tells us we are to overflow with thankfulness. Every celebration in our lives should point to God. A birthday is a time to celebrate God's faithfulness over the last year, an anniversary should point to God's greater love, etc. As we celebrate let us always point to the greatest thing worth celebrating─God himself. Therefore, may our greatest parties be reserved for his glory.
Father God, help me to celebrate and praise you. Thank you for your goodness, grace, mercy, faithfulness, and love. Help me to point others to you. Amen.
How can you use your celebrations to point people to God?
What was the best party you ever attended? Maybe your wedding, a surprise birthday party, or a 50th wedding anniversary? When the walls of Jerusalem were completed, Israel threw a massive party. The purpose of the celebration was not about their own accomplishment but to celebrate the greatness and faithfulness of God. The description of the party band in Nehemiah 12 describes two separate choirs walking on top of the walls of the city as they praised God for all they had seen him do. This day could have been a celebration of the hard work of the Israelites or the sacrifices they had made; instead it was a time to remember all that God had done.
When something great happens in our life, how do we celebrate? Do we point to our own greatness and success, or do we direct attention away from us to God? James tells us every good gift comes from God, and in Colossians Paul tells us we are to overflow with thankfulness. Every celebration in our lives should point to God. A birthday is a time to celebrate God's faithfulness over the last year, an anniversary should point to God's greater love, etc. As we celebrate let us always point to the greatest thing worth celebrating─God himself. Therefore, may our greatest parties be reserved for his glory.
Father God, help me to celebrate and praise you. Thank you for your goodness, grace, mercy, faithfulness, and love. Help me to point others to you. Amen.
How can you use your celebrations to point people to God?
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