“And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. And the sons of the singers gathered together from the district surrounding Jerusalem and from the villages… And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and the people and the gates and the wall.
“Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks. One went to the south on the wall… with musical instruments… The other choir of those who gave thanks went to the north, and I followed them with half of the people, on the wall… So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God… And the singers sang… And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” Nehemiah 12:27-28,30-31,38,40,42b-43
The wall had been completed through sweat and opposition, with cooperation and perseverance. The people had confessed their sins, and put right practices that were wrong. They sealed a covenant with the Lord, who had been gracious and merciful to them, and it was time for thanksgiving. The man who had sought God from the beginning and peppered his days with prayer would now lead Israel to praise to the Lord, who was worthy of it all. (Nehemiah 2:11-18; 4:6-9,14; 6:15-16; 8:1-3,9-13; 9:2-3,5-6,23; 10:28-29)
At the conclusion of a great effort, we can be tempted to show off. The project is finished, the successful event is over, the work is complete. Look what I did, I deserve the credit, notice me. Weary in the flesh we are prone to relax our dependence on the Lord into self-congratulations. Even if we restrain boasting out loud, how insidious is the pride that craves accolades and believes this great success was up to me.
In what cases do we think too highly of ourselves? Where are we taking credit that should all go to the Lord? Where do we pretend to make much of Him but actually take the limelight with facial expressions that invite notice and smug remarks about our contribution, our ideas, our expertise? Do we insist on being affirmed, and chafe when not? What self-importance or insecurity causes us to feign humility or disinterest, but in the hidden heart stokes our egos? (Romans 12:3)
How can we instead exalt the fame of Christ for what He accomplished through us? The people in Nehemiah‘s day, forced into a situation of absolutely dependence on the Lord’s protection and provision, were steeped in prayer, and took His word seriously. They repented and were consecrated after enumerating God’s greatness, mercies, and work on their behalf. They acknowledged that they were nothing apart from His favor and keeping. Would we likewise so completely rely on and surrender to Him that we cannot help but sing and give Him all the praise? (Psalm 73:23-28)
Father, keep me mindful of ways to show You off in my demeanor, interactions, conversations, tasks, and song. May all I do be done for Thee and Thy glory. (Colossians 3:23)
As the rain and snow 