Everyone likes to win. We all love to experience the thrill of victory in our lives. Maybe the team you were rooting for won this year’s Super Bowl. What a game! If so, you are thrilled. My team didn’t even make it so it was not as fun this time around.
In the story of Nehemiah we find the Israelites experiencing a great time of victory and rebuilding after being defeated, conquered, and exiled. Winning is much more fun. The rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem, the dedication of the temple, and the re-establishment of Israel’s spiritual foundation lifted up the hopes and dreams of the people of God and re-energized their faith. Through this story, we are able to see an ongoing cycle, which I believe is required for all of us if we are to enjoy an energizing faith.
We need to constantly engage in an ongoing cycle of:
1) Celebrating God’s goodness and faithfulness in our lives! We need to have an attitude of gratitude.
2) Consecrating ourselves to follow Him even more in the days ahead! Let’s renew our devotion and dedication to Him.
- Energizing means to give vitality and enthusiasm. In Nehemiah 8:1-18, we find a cycle of consecration and celebration that energizes the community:
- Nehemiah 8:1-8 (Consecration)
- Nehemiah 8:9-12 (Celebration)
- Nehemiah 8:13-16 (Consecration)
- Nehemiah 8: 17-18 (Celebration)
- This cycle of consecration and celebration is taught and demonstrated throughout Scripture.
- From Genesis thru Revelation it is a reoccurring theme, from Joseph in the Old Testament to Jesus in the New Testament.
- Here are some keys to energizing our faith as individual believers and as a church:
- Living out the continuous cycle of consecration and celebration daily.
- Thanking God for His faithfulness and the blessings in our life.
- Recommitting our lives to God for His glory.
- Whether you have a little or a lot, there is much to be grateful for and to celebrate. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Take time to count your blessings.
- Spend time rededicating yourself to the Lord and determine to follow Him with greater obedience and devotion.
Take a moment right now to celebrate all God has done for you in the past. Make a list! Add to it! Then take a moment to pray and consecrate yourself to follow Him more completely in the days ahead. Celebrate God’s goodness in your life! And re-consecrate yourself to greater followership and discipleship going forward. It is an energizing cycle you would do well to follow always.
Here are just some of the things we celebrated as a church during VICTORY WEEKEND!
