“At
the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem”, the keynote of the service
was joyful thanksgiving. They gathered together “to celebrate joyfully
the dedication with songs of thanksgiving” (Nehemiah 12:27). “On that
day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them
great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). They sang “songs of praise and
thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). This joyful thanksgiving is only
a foretaste of the greater joy and thanksgiving of heaven: “There will
be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of
things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In the city of God, “the
glory of God” will be shining with everlasting brightness (Revelation
21:23). The Church of God will be “prepared as a bride beautifully
dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The beautiful picture of
the godly wife in Proverbs 31 gives us an outline of what God is
seeking to do in His people. It is summarized in Proverbs 31:30: “A
woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” This is what God wants to
make His Bride, the Church – a people who fear the Lord and bring
praise to Him.
There is to be prayer from “every one who lives in the land” (Joel 1:14). It is to be personal prayer - “O Lord, I cry to You for help!” (Joel 1:19). These two belong together - prayer for the nation and personal prayer. This is expressed so well in the words: “O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee. Send a revival. Start the work in me.” We hear the words, “Return to the Lord, your God” (Joel 2:13). They are followed by some wonderful words about the character of God - “He is merciful and compassionate, patient and always ready to forgive and to change His plans about disaster” (Joel 2:13). How do we know that God is like this? We look at what He has done for us - “Be glad and rejoice. The Lord has done great things!” (Joel 2:21). Looking at all that the Lord has done for us, we trust His promise: “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32). This salvation is more than forgiveness for past sins. It’s more than the future glory of being in God’s ev...
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