Nehemiah 12:43, "Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced:  for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced:  so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off."

Great and significant accomplishment results in great joy.  The joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.  The events of the day, viewed in connection with the now repaired and beautified state of Jerusalem, raised the feeling of the cities inhabitants to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, and the fame of their rejoicings was spread far and near.  God had placed this joy in their hearts. 

Every believer should do whatever he does for the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Nehemiah's heart was to complete the walls, to clean up the city, and to bring the people into a right relationship with Jehovah.  These things were accomplished, and the accomplishment of these great endeavors resulted in great joy.

Are you living life today in such a manner as to attempt great things for God?  When is the last time you saw something accomplished for the LORD that brought great joy?  So many today have a mindset of simply sustaining, when they need to be doing great things for God. 

 When the foundations for the second temple were laid, Ezra 3:12 says, "...many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice, and many shouted aloud for joy."  When God granted victory over the enemies of Judah during the reign of Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 20:27, "Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies."

 We have one source of joy (the Lord), but two avenues for rejoicing.  One is rejoicing in Who God is, the other is rejoicing in what is accomplished for God's glory.  William Carey in 1792 stated, "Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God." 

May we all have the vision and courage to attempt great things for God, it might just cause each one of us to SHOUT FOR JOY and it could spread abroad.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.  Have you learned to rejoice in the Lord?  How has this changed your life?

2.  Have you been able to rejoice in recent accomplishments done for the glory of God? What were those accomplishments, and why did you rejoice?

3.  If you haven’t been able to rejoice, what do you need to change so that you can do so?