Today’s study is packed with a lot of good points: first off, Selwyn introduction, “At a time of great rejoicing it is very easy to join with others and sing and even dance, but true praise is not momentary; rather, it involves honouring God continually.”
Likewise, his conclusion is worth thinking about: “When we are right with God, other things quickly fall into place. …Â (we) think more in terms of Christ’s Body -the Church. … Joy can never be sustained apart from that.”
An important lesson we can take away from the verses before us today, Nehemiah 12:44-47, is that when people are united under God there is great rejoicing. Jesus, in His great love for us, is  constantly leading us into unity with each other, like a shepherd keeping his flock together. It’s only the wolves who work hard to scatter the flock and to cause division and chaos.
Israel, now united in a shared vision, “now express their concern not only for the priests but also for those who ministered alongside them – the singers and the gatekeepers. They are now aware that if they are careless and indolent they will suffer the consequences of such neglect.”
I think that we are losing our community spirit and we are lacking in spiritual unity. There is a greater focus on the individual, more so than ever before – there is division everywhere; shared concern for our various communities is not that visible these days. I would not be surprised if we soon start to suffer the consequences of our neglect for our God and our neighbour. Do you agree? There are not many who carry with them the joy of being right with God, are there?
How to sustain joy
Today’s study is packed with a lot of good points: first off, Selwyn introduction, “At a time of great rejoicing it is very easy to join with others and sing and even dance, but true praise is not momentary; rather, it involves honouring God continually.”
Likewise, his conclusion is worth thinking about: “When we are right with God, other things quickly fall into place. …Â (we) think more in terms of Christ’s Body -the Church. … Joy can never be sustained apart from that.”
An important lesson we can take away from the verses before us today, Nehemiah 12:44-47, is that when people are united under God there is great rejoicing. Jesus, in His great love for us, is  constantly leading us into unity with each other, like a shepherd keeping his flock together. It’s only the wolves who work hard to scatter the flock and to cause division and chaos.
Israel, now united in a shared vision, “now express their concern not only for the priests but also for those who ministered alongside them – the singers and the gatekeepers. They are now aware that if they are careless and indolent they will suffer the consequences of such neglect.”
I think that we are losing our community spirit and we are lacking in spiritual unity. There is a greater focus on the individual, more so than ever before – there is division everywhere; shared concern for our various communities is not that visible these days. I would not be surprised if we soon start to suffer the consequences of our neglect for our God and our neighbour. Do you agree? There are not many who carry with them the joy of being right with God, are there?