“The two choirs that gave thanks then took their places in the house of God . . . And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.” Nehemiah 12:40, 43
As creatures of time our lives are divided into periods of time—days, weeks, months, years, etc. With God, of course, there is no time as we have it. There will be no clocks or calendars in heaven. At present we are beginning a new cycle of time. And we always wonder what the new year will bring to the world, our own country, and surely also the church and our families, as well as ourselves. Of course, we know “that what has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” Nevertheless, we still wonder about the future and often feel insecure.
The Scriptures, however, encourage us to be positive in exercising trust and confidence. Even to be joyful in the knowledge of God’s everlasting faithful promises to His people.
The setting of the passage quoted above is the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. Approximately 90 years before this a remnant of the Israelites had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. Some 75 years later Ezra returned from Babylon to give the people much needed leadership, showing them the way of repentance and the fear of God. Thirteen years after that, Nehemiah came for a relatively brief period of time to help them rebuild the wall. That great undertaking was now finished.
Obviously people weren’t always safe in those days. Most towns and cities had walls around them for protection and the gates were closed and locked during the nights. The inhabitants of Jerusalem felt the need of a wall for protection. In 52 days, under the able leadership of Nehemiah, the work was finished. Not only did this wall literally give them protection and security, but it was also a symbol of the spiritual protection of the Lord. In Psalm 48 the Israelites are instructed to walk around the city, to count the many towers and bulwarks. They are reminded that God surrounds His people and He will be their guide unto death. The rebuilt wall at this time was also faith-strengthening for these people. Now they had much more peace and security. The time had come to dedicate this great God–given wall around the city. It is in this dedication that we find a beautiful expression of faith, which can also teach us something as we face the future of the new year 1982.
There was a grand march of two groups of people on the wall of the city. Each group was led by a large choir. Following the choirs were the leaders of the people, princes and rulers. The third group consisted of the band and orchestra (with many instruments) of the priests and Levites. And finally, following them were the common people, including the women and children. They joined in the songs. Isn’t it interesting that also the children were included and that they too sang with the adults? We read that Ezra joined one group and Nehemiah the other. In the march one of these “complete” groups went to the right and the other to the left. Later, of course, they met and then together they went into the temple, where they brought many sacrifices in the continued spirit of joy for what the Lord had done and would do in the future.
We read that it was a dedication with much gladness. Also that they gave thanks to the Lord and that they rejoiced with great joy. Try to imagine what a wonderful experience this must have been. How stirring it must have been to do all this together in the communion of the saints! The joy of Jerusalem (not just some singing) was heard afar off, we read. When one reads this passage and tries to imagine the experience he could wish that he had been there. The wall was finished, and with it the Lord was giving them protection and security for the future.
What does this mean for us at the beginning of another year? First of all we have much more revelation than did the Old Testament church. Christ, who is the bringer of all blessings and security, has come. Atonement has been made for the sins of His people; death has been conquered. Today He is Lord in heaven, ruling over the church and world. The Holy Spirit has been poured out into the church. Promises have been given in abundance, which are relevant for all times. Let’s look at just a few of these all-comprehensive, far–reaching promises to His people. “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee,” Is. 43:2.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, who are the called according to His purpose,” Rom. 8:28.
“My grace is sufficient for thee,” II Cor. 12:9.
“Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,” Matt. 28:20.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever,” Ps 23:6.
“As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so t he Lord surrounds His people, both now and forevermore,” Ps 125:1.
We must do with the revelation that we have and the promises given us what the Israelites did with what they had and the completion of the building of this wall. These people sensed the reality that with the wall the Lord would protect them. That truth had gripped them. And they gave expression to their faith in marching with their children, in song, on the wall around the city.
May we meditate on these sure promises. Let the truth of them grip us. May we live much with the Word of God. And pray for grace that all these truths may become more meaningful to us. In 1982 the Lord is still on the throne, He is in control, and is daily gathering His church. Everything is proceeding according to the schedule of His good and allwise counsel. These assurances He gives to His people. The world lacks assurance and therefore people feel that they are adrift in the experiences and cycles of time. If we are going to do what the Israelites did, we will also sing about these promises, perhaps to ourselves, but surely in church with our fellow Christians. Sing from the heart. Our present and future are safe and sure because of what the Lord is giving and will give to us!
Some people might say, we are living in disturbing times. In many respects the outlook is gloomy. We should therefore be sober. How can we be happy in such a time? The Scriptures teach us that God’s people, even when they live in faith, may at times be sad. Consider some of the Psalms, for example. Again and again we read of their troubles, but also . amid these troubles we find expressions of joy in the Lord. The experience of sadness and even tears does not necessarily always preclude the experience of joy. I also think of the Apostle Paul. Although a prisoner in Rome, he urges the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 3:1, 4:4). Faith in the Lord will lead to peace, security and joy.