30 December 2024 – What have I learned today?
Nehemiah chapter12: verses 8-9 (NIV)
The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and also Mattaniah, who, together with his associates, was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services.
Nehemiah chapter 12: verses 46 – 47 (NIV)
For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.
Nehemiah chapter 8: verse 10. (NIV)
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Isaiah Chapter 61: verse 3 (NIV)
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Hebrews chapter 13 verses 15-16 (NIV)
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
I was struck in this chapter of Nehemiah about the importance of praise, and thus after finishing today’s reading, I decided to dig into it a little further, which is why there are so many scripture references, but I think they are all connected.
We definitely get the sense from Nehemiah that the ministry of praise and worship was indeed just that – a ministry. Not just a nice, optional extra, but a requirement which had leaders who were called and chosen to lead the people in their praise and worship, and its therefore not something we should take lightly. I was taught that “praise gets the victory” and we can see from the earlier chapter in Nehemiah that the joy of the Lord in our worship brings us strength. If we allow our circumstances to detract from our duty of praise and worship then we rob ourself of God’s strength. We are told in Isaiah that we need to put on our garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness, and that is an action of the will. I know we are also called to put on the full armour of God to face the day, but it seems to me that we first put on the garment of praise then put the armour on too. Then we will be well protected from the spirit of despair which sadly, I believe, is so prevalent in our modern society.
we also see in the letter to the Hebrews that we are to continually offer a sacrifice of praise – and I am again struck by the use of the word, “continually”. In other words, without a break, and whether we feel like it or not. It is that important.
So I shall make an effort in the coming year to be wholehearted in my praise and worship so that I can know the Lord’s strength, be protected from the spirit of heaviness and despair and please the Lord with a sacrifice of praise that brings Him the praise and glory that He is due.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for giving us the reason to put on garments of praise and worship. I pray to that I come before You with the right attitude when coming into a time of worship and to remember to pray for those whose role is to bring Your people into that place when we gather together in Your House. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.Nehemiah chapter12: verses 8-9 (NIV)
The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and also Mattaniah, who, together with his associates, was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving. Bakbukiah and Unni, their associates, stood opposite them in the services.
Nehemiah chapter 12: verses 46 – 47 (NIV)
For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron.
Nehemiah chapter 8: verse 10. (NIV)
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Isaiah Chapter 61: verse 3 (NIV)
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Hebrews chapter 13 verses 15-16 (NIV)
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
I was struck in this chapter of Nehemiah about the importance of praise, and thus after finishing today’s reading, I decided to dig into it a little further, which is why there are so many scripture references, but I think they are all connected.
We definitely get the sense from Nehemiah that the ministry of praise and worship was indeed just that – a ministry. Not just a nice, optional extra, but a requirement which had leaders who were called and chosen to lead the people in their praise and worship, and its therefore not something we should take lightly. I was taught that “praise gets the victory” and we can see from the earlier chapter in Nehemiah that the joy of the Lord in our worship brings us strength. If we allow our circumstances to detract from our duty of praise and worship then we rob ourself of God’s strength. We are told in Isaiah that we need to put on our garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness, and that is an action of the will. I know we are also called to put on the full armour of God to face the day, but it seems to me that we first put on the garment of praise then put the armour on too. Then we will be well protected from the spirit of despair which sadly, I believe, is so prevalent in our modern society.
we also see in the letter to the Hebrews that we are to continually offer a sacrifice of praise – and I am again struck by the use of the word, “continually”. In other words, without a break, and whether we feel like it or not. It is that important.
So I shall make an effort in the coming year to be wholehearted in my praise and worship so that I can know the Lord’s strength, be protected from the spirit of heaviness and despair and please the Lord with a sacrifice of praise that brings Him the praise and glory that He is due.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for giving us the reason to put on garments of praise and worship. I pray to that I come before You with the right attitude when coming into a time of worship and to remember to pray for those whose role is to bring Your people into that place when we gather together in Your House. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.