Main Point and Overview:
After a major spiritual victory in your life, do you take the time to praise the Lord? Nehemiah did. In fact, he led the entire nation of Israel in a very intentional and inordinate “program of praise” to God for his power, protection, and provisions in rebuilding the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. Often, in our lives, it is easy to take God’s goodness for granted. We must NEVER allow this to happen! We should constantly and consistently be praising him for all that he has done in our lives and in our families’ lives. Gratitude is an integral part of our journey of faith. After Nehemiah had strategically positioned the number of people needed in Jerusalem, he had a dedication ceremony for Israel’s “new walls!” It was during this time that he brought the people together in praise to their mighty God! It wasn’t just a “token expression” either. With multiple musicians and multiple choirs, Israel lavished praise on her great God! There is a similar story of gratitude, much later, when a woman named Mary poured expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus. Overwhelmed by his present love and future sacrifice on The Cross, she couldn’t help herself in lavishly and emotionally expressing her thanksgiving to her Savior. I wonder how emotional we are about Jesus. When’s the last time his great sacrifice for our sins led us to emotionally cry out in gratitude? When’s the last time his great sacrifice for our sins led us to passionately serve him out of gratitude? When’s the last time his great sacrifice for our sins led us to impactfully change selfish priorities in our lives? At the end of this celebration, you see the people joyfully giving of their “first fruits” to care for God’s leaders. Why? Because they were grateful. When you begin to absorb a grateful spirit in your life, it will forever change your attitudes and actions. You will desire to give of your time, talent, and treasure for the glory of God! You will have an amazing sense of how good and gracious your God has been to you. Wow! What an amazing realization! How grateful of a person are you? When’s the last time you expressed gratitude to God for something he has done in your life? Nehemiah prioritized gratitude. It’s time that we made the same commitment!
After a major spiritual victory in your life, do you take the time to praise the Lord? Nehemiah did. In fact, he led the entire nation of Israel in a very intentional and inordinate “program of praise” to God for his power, protection, and provisions in rebuilding the broken-down walls of Jerusalem. Often, in our lives, it is easy to take God’s goodness for granted. We must NEVER allow this to happen! We should constantly and consistently be praising him for all that he has done in our lives and in our families’ lives. Gratitude is an integral part of our journey of faith. After Nehemiah had strategically positioned the number of people needed in Jerusalem, he had a dedication ceremony for Israel’s “new walls!” It was during this time that he brought the people together in praise to their mighty God! It wasn’t just a “token expression” either. With multiple musicians and multiple choirs, Israel lavished praise on her great God! There is a similar story of gratitude, much later, when a woman named Mary poured expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus. Overwhelmed by his present love and future sacrifice on The Cross, she couldn’t help herself in lavishly and emotionally expressing her thanksgiving to her Savior. I wonder how emotional we are about Jesus. When’s the last time his great sacrifice for our sins led us to emotionally cry out in gratitude? When’s the last time his great sacrifice for our sins led us to passionately serve him out of gratitude? When’s the last time his great sacrifice for our sins led us to impactfully change selfish priorities in our lives? At the end of this celebration, you see the people joyfully giving of their “first fruits” to care for God’s leaders. Why? Because they were grateful. When you begin to absorb a grateful spirit in your life, it will forever change your attitudes and actions. You will desire to give of your time, talent, and treasure for the glory of God! You will have an amazing sense of how good and gracious your God has been to you. Wow! What an amazing realization! How grateful of a person are you? When’s the last time you expressed gratitude to God for something he has done in your life? Nehemiah prioritized gratitude. It’s time that we made the same commitment!
Posted in Devotional