Mon., 1/22/18 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 rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off."

God-honoring Sabbath (today, Sunday) church worship will inevitably lead to a great deal of 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 sweet-ness and light—but there *are* special times when God Himself "[makes us] rejoice with great joy," (even as today's text avers).

Let us never give up on our potential for a very high degree of happiness (in this world). So long as we seek it in Jesus as His faithful church, there is every reason for us to believe that our joy will be made full in Him, (cf. Jn. 10:10).

[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"]