Nehemiah 9:5-6 And the Levites…said: “Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.
A child once remarked of her Principle Rainey that she believed he went to heaven every night, because he was so happy every day. Joy is a perfect description of a Christian. It has been said that Joy is the flag which is flown from the castle of the heart when the King is in residence there.
With the wall rebuilt, it was time to celebrate the accomplishment that God had brought to his people. Ezra begins the time of praise and celebration with a reading from God’s Word. Remembering the promises God had made to his people centuries before place this day of completion into the proper context. God said he would punish the unfaithful, but he also said he would forgive the repentant. God has been faithful to his people from the beginning.
God does not want His children to be unhappy, and none of us has cause for a constant bad mood. Paul was perhaps the most persecuted of all Christians, yet he was a man of song. Hymns of praise came from his lips in prison and out of prison. Day and night he praised our Lord Jesus Christ. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)
We are no different today. We have much to be grateful to God for each day of our lives. His presence and plan for us is sufficient to brighten any day and bring joy to hearts and a smile to our face. Rejoice with me in this today. Raise your banner and smile.
