Nehemiah 12:27-37: a reflection

27At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to keep the dedication with gladness, both with giving thanks and with singing, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and with harps. 28The sons of the singers gathered themselves together, both out of the plain around Jerusalem and from the villages of the Netophathites; 29also from Beth Gilgal and out of the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30The priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, the gates, and the wall. 31Then I brought the princes of Judah up on the wall, and appointed two great companies who gave thanks and went in procession. One went on the right hand on the wall toward the dung gate; 32and after them went Hoshaiah, with half of the princes of Judah, 33and Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam, 34Judah, Benjamin, Shemaiah, Jeremiah, 35and some of the priests’ sons with trumpets: Zechariah the son of Jonathan, the son of Shemaiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micaiah, the son of Zaccur, the son of Asaph; 36and his brothers, Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, and Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God; and Ezra the scribe was before them. 37By the spring gate, and straight before them, they went up by the stairs of David’s city, at the ascent of the wall, above David’s house, even to the water gate eastward.

The wall of Jerusalem, long in ruins, has been rebuilt, and now the people gather to dedicate it. And notice how they do it: with gladness, with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. They form two great choirs and process along the wall giving thanks. The completion of the work is marked not with mere satisfaction, but with joyful thanksgiving to God, who had made the rebuilding possible.

Notice how the people mark the completion of their work: by giving thanks to God with joy. They had labored hard on that wall, against opposition; and now that it was finished, they did not simply congratulate themselves, but turned the completion into an occasion of thanksgiving and praise to God. They recognized that the work had been accomplished by God's help, and so they dedicated it to him with gladness and song.

That is a good pattern for marking what we accomplish. When we finish a piece of work, reach a goal, complete something we have labored at, we can simply move on, or congratulate ourselves; or we can do as these people did, and turn the completion into thanksgiving to God, recognizing his help and dedicating the work to him with joy. When you complete something you have worked hard at, pause to give God thanks, and dedicate it to him. Do not merely move on, or take the credit to yourself; recognize God's help in what you have accomplished, and mark the completion with grateful, joyful praise, as the people marked the finishing of the wall, dedicating your work to the God who helped you do it.

Lord, when the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem was finished, the people dedicated it with gladness, thanksgiving, and singing, forming great choirs to process along it giving thanks, recognizing that the work had been accomplished by your help. Teach me that pattern for marking what I accomplish. When I finish a piece of work, reach a goal, complete something I have labored at, I can simply move on, or congratulate myself; or I can do as these people did, and turn the completion into thanksgiving to you, recognizing your help and dedicating the work to you with joy. When I complete something I have worked hard at, help me pause to give you thanks, and dedicate it to you. Keep me from merely moving on, or taking the credit to myself; help me recognize your help in what I have accomplished, and mark the completion with grateful, joyful praise, dedicating my work to you, who helped me do it. Let my finished work become an occasion of thanks to you, Lord.