“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.
What God did for His people, Israel, was very great. There is a striking contrast between their slavery in Egypt and their abundance in the promised land. God had multiplied His blessing upon them, just as Jesus did when He turned water into wine (John 2:1-11). If the blessing is to be maintained and increased, we must honour the Lord. We must cry to Him for blessing: "Hear my prayer, O God, listen to the words of my mouth." We must call upon Him with faith: "Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me" (Psalm 54:2,4).
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