Wed., 1/22/14 Devotion (Neh. 12:43)

Today's encouragement comes from Nehemiah 12:43, where we read these words:

"Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and the children also re-joiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off."

God-honoring Sabbath church worship will (inevitably) lead to a great deal of exuberant joy. This heartfelt celebration will be so profound, that those outside the church will hear it (and be impacted by it). Life is not all joy and sweetness--but there *are* special times when God Himself
"[makes us] rejoice with great joy," (even as today's text avers).

Let us not give up on our potential for a very high degree of happiness in Jesus (in this world). So long as we remain faith-filled toward Christ (and therefore faithful in His church), there is for us a certainty that our joy will be made full.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ and all good things are stored in the gospel; that is the rich mine." --Richard Sibbes, in, "Glorious Freedom"]