Read Nehemiah 12:1-26
Up to now, we have been seeing how Nehemiah is shaping up the returnees, so they don’t fall out of God’s good graces again. Here are more lists supporting the people in charge of renewing the people and keeping them properly focused.
Let’s focus on verse 24. It says, “These were the family leaders of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, and other associates, who stood opposite them during the ceremonies of praise and thanksgiving, one section responding to the other, as commanded by David, the man of God.” It appears Nehemiah is prescribing a worship format, fashioned after King David’s command.
You may recall King David authored many of the psalms we use in worship today. David was devoted to God, and God was with him throughout his life. David was called a “man after God’s heart” because of his faithfulness and repentant spirit. In 1 Samuel 13:14, the prophet Samuel speaks to King Saul about his replacement, David. “But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”
God re-establishes what worship should look like because it’s likely worship practices had been forgotten over the years. We should be like David, seeking after God. After all, we are all created for the purpose of worshiping God. The 10 Commandments speak of worship, and God says in Exodus 20: “You must not have any other god but me.
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. identifying God as the only one who should receive our worship and praise.”
Rick Warren, in his book, “The Purpose Driven Life” says many profound things about our purpose in life. He answers the question, “What on earth am I here for?” by saying, “to worship God.” Our culture tends to answer this question about purpose from the perspective of “self.”
Our purpose is to live a life that honors God. Worship is so much more than singing a few hymns or praise songs together on Sunday morning. We will discover why God created us when we make God the reference point in our lives. How is God using you? Where do you see God moving in your life?
The Israelites had messed up living out their own purpose time and time again, as we see in the Old Testament. They focused on their own needs and let the lies of other religions “muddy the waters” of understanding. Nehemiah’s mission was to get them back on track, and worship was a good place to start now that the building projects were completed. It’s good to see the strides Nehemiah made by encouraging the returnees’ life of faith, which includes prioritizing worship.
Jesus also speaks of worship in John 4:23. He said to the Samaritan women at the well, “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” Jesus is truth, and he sent the Holy Spirit to fill us. When we cling to the truth of Scripture (Jesus is the Word) and let the Holy Spirit flow, we are worshipping as God intended.
Worship is acknowledging and remembering God’s holiness as well as our sinfulness. Jesus bridges the gap perfectly between those two points for us and promises forgiveness. Take some time today to listen to some praise music and let the Holy Spirit move you. May the rest of your day be even more fulfilling.
Let’s pray. God you are so good, and your mercies endure forever. It is my desire to worship you with my life, my actions, my voice. Use me, God, to help people find you so they can embrace your truth and worship you, too. I love that my purpose is to draw close and worship you. What an honor and a privilege! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
