Neh 12-13 Joy, Laughter, God's Wall

May 29th, Nehemiah 12-13

      Today's event is the celebration of dedication. The wall is up, no one has attacked, Jerusalem is another step closer to what it used to be. The verse I love is 12:43... "And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far and away."
       I love the sound of people in a collective joy. This last Sunday I was walking from my office to the room of fellowship after our service. Voices carrying one, laughter...the sound of joy heard far and away. Like the birds back to sing; it's the sounds of life and life begets life.
       Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Something that wells up in the life of those forgiven and set free from the weight of life. The wall has been built, the fear that was lived in a few chapters ago has now turned into a relief. Like many mistakes in life the relief comes from a wall instead of the God who is a wall, strong tower, refuge, fortress.
       You and I have a wall that was built for us on the cross. A wall forged in the power of adoption. To be brought into God's protection as the beloved sons and daughters of the most high God. For whatever moments of our life we feel more like the fearful residents building the wall with tool in one hand and sword in the other, the reminder this morning is to learn of trusting Christ, living in joy, finding relief, not in the walls we built, but in the wall God is for us. Spending our time in Christ's presence and taking a great big break from wall building for the rest of our days.