BY Diana Stone
Text: Nehemiah 12:27-47, Psalms 16:7
After months of toil and years of living in and around a broken city, Jerusalem is done. Complete in record time. People are in, the temple is ready.
What happens next? A giant celebration of the Lord’s faithfulness to provide and protect them during this time. But not just a party. A dedication.
You see, Jerusalem wasn’t simply a city. It was the holiest city on earth. It was God’s chosen city for His chosen people. It deserved to be treated as such. We read in the verses about rituals followed. Special people invited. Traditions kept. The Israelites, though known for their grumbling in most of their stories before, knew that this dedication was of the utmost importance to get right. Not to show off. Not to follow rules set by man.
To show their God they truly loved and appreciated what He had done for them.
I wonder in our lives how often we stop to give the Lord our very best in thankfulness. When we avoid a car accident, when our child gets well, when that house we wanted becomes ours. There isn’t anything wrong with a quick, “Thank you, Jesus” in a stressful situation. Yet, do we follow up? Do we take time to reflect on the blessing given to us, to come before God with the very best?
“I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.” (Psalms 16:7)
In this age where things move at the speed of light, it’s so easy to pass over any kind of preparation as we come before God. But when we thank Him, it’s important to slow this down. Take time to fully comprehend just what we’ve been blessed with and didn’t deserve. To see the miracles in our lives that we miss when we rush past.
Lift up your hands to God and let Him know how you feel, and “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)
50 thoughts on "come before him with thanksgiving"
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Truky enjoying these devotionals; thank you!
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The last two days' devotional readings have really helped pull the Scriptures together for me. First, to re-dedicate myself to not only being a believer and a follower of Jesus, but to make my life a willing sacrifice for His greater purpose. Like the view from above a puzzle or across the room from an Impressionist painting, He sees it all. Not my will but yours, Lord. Then today, a much needed reminder to make the time to fully, deeply thank our Lord for all He has done. My work days recently have been whirlwinds of paperwork, meetings, testing, and barely controlled frenzy as the school year winds down. I've kept up with our plan as best I could but I've also felt a little off because I haven't made the time to find that deep connection to the word and to Him in prayer. I have so much to thank You for, Jesus, it sometimes seems overwhelming. Your loving grace and forgiveness sustain me through these stressful days in my work life and the grief & troubles I face in my personal life. You are my king of kings & I put myself back in Your hands, knowing I will be lovingly molded like clay to evolve into the person You created me to be. Thank You.
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