Judith 15:8-13: a reflection

8Joakim the high priest, and the elders of the children of Israel who lived in Jerusalem, came to see the good things which the Lord had showed to Israel, and to see Judith and to greet her. 9When they came to her, they all blessed her with one accord, and said to her, “You are the exaltation of Jerusalem! You are the great glory of Israel! You are the great rejoicing of our race! 10You have done all these things by your hand. You have done with Israel the things that are good, and God is pleased with it. May you be blessed by the Almighty Lord forever!” And all the people said, “Amen!” 11And the people plundered the camp for thirty days; and they gave Holofernes’ tent to Judith, along with all his silver cups, his beds, his bowls, and all his furniture. She took them, placed them on her mule, prepared her wagons, and piled them on it. 12And all the women of Israel ran together to see her; and they blessed her, and made a dance among them for her. She took branches in her hand, and distributed them to the women who were with her. 13Then they made themselves garlands of olive, she and those who were with her, and she went before all the people in the dance, leading all the women. All the men of Israel followed in their armor with garlands, and with songs in their mouths.

After God has delivered his people from a besieging army, they respond with exuberant celebration. The high priest and elders come to see the good things God has done; the women run together and dance; they take branches and make garlands, and go before all the people in a dance, with songs in their mouths. And they bless God, acknowledging that he has done these good things for Israel. The deliverance is met not with restrained gratitude, but with wholehearted, joyful celebration.

Notice the wholeheartedness of their celebration and thanks. God had delivered them, and they did not respond with a quiet nod of gratitude; they celebrated with dancing, singing, garlands, and joyful praise, giving God the glory for what he had done. Their joy was full and expressed; they let themselves rejoice openly and gladly at God's deliverance, and turned that joy into praise to the God who had saved them.

That is a fitting response to God's deliverances that we can be too restrained to offer. When God delivers us, answers our prayers, brings us through, our thanks can be muted, a passing gratitude quickly moved on from. But God's great acts of deliverance deserve wholehearted, joyful celebration and praise. Do not be restrained or half-hearted in your joy and thanks when God has done great things for you. Let yourself rejoice fully and gladly, and turn that joy into praise, giving God the glory, as these people did with their dancing and songs. God's deliverances are worth celebrating wholeheartedly; do not offer him only a muted, passing thanks, but rejoice and praise him gladly for the good things he has done.

Lord, after you delivered your people, they responded with exuberant celebration, dancing, singing, making garlands, and joyful praise, giving you the glory for what you had done. Their joy was full and expressed. Teach me that fitting response to your deliverances, which I can be too restrained to offer. When you deliver me, answer my prayers, bring me through, my thanks can be muted, a passing gratitude quickly moved on from. But your great acts of deliverance deserve wholehearted, joyful celebration and praise. Keep me from being restrained or half-hearted in my joy and thanks when you have done great things for me. Help me let myself rejoice fully and gladly, and turn that joy into praise, giving you the glory, as these people did. Your deliverances are worth celebrating wholeheartedly; help me not to offer you only a muted, passing thanks, but to rejoice and praise you gladly for the good things you have done. Fill my heart with joyful thanks.