The Difference Between Singing and Rejoicing

DAY 154
2-26-10
NEHEMIAH 11-12


Good Morning!

When the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem were dedicated, it was a time of personal dedication, purification, and worship. The people were so excited, that they rejoiced in God.

Nehemiah 12:43 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.

Were they singing about walls? No. They were rejoicing about God. Now, I love to sing. I love to hear singing. I especially love to hear my children sing. It seems to me, however, that there is a difference between singing and rejoicing. I can sing without rejoicing. I can get caught up in notes, harmonies, and sounds. I can make it all about me. Rejoicing, on the other hand, is a matter of the heart. It is an emotional, personal response to God’s blessings. Rejoicing is the motivation for my singing.

I like the fact that the sound of their rejoicing could be heard far away. Notice that they were singing to God and to each other. They were belting it out. No shame. No embarrassment. I don’t get the impression that notes were their concern. They were so happy about God’s blessings, they could not contain themselves. I reminded that when David rejoiced, he did it “with all his might.”

When you sing, don’t forget to rejoice.

Barry

“Rejoice in the Lord always.”
"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”