Source Of Your Joy?
God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. The joy of Jerusalem was heard far away. Nehemiah 12:43b
Patriarchy (a form of social organization in which men rule) was prevalent in the Old and New Testament world, and so it is significant that in Nehemiah 12:43 women and children were identified as part of the group which “rejoiced with great joy” at the dedication of the newly built wall. It is also significant that it was the healing of a woman in Luke 13:17 (the New Testament reading for today) that prompted the rejoicing of the entire crowd.
We are living in a world where many persons look to material wealth for happiness. A very popular song, among our young people especially, states “I want to be a billionaire so … bad”. That is the dream of many today – to get rich, very rich, as it is assumed that with this wealth will come happiness.
Patriarchy (a form of social organization in which men rule) was prevalent in the Old and New Testament world, and so it is significant that in Nehemiah 12:43 women and children were identified as part of the group which “rejoiced with great joy” at the dedication of the newly built wall. It is also significant that it was the healing of a woman in Luke 13:17 (the New Testament reading for today) that prompted the rejoicing of the entire crowd.
We are living in a world where many persons look to material wealth for happiness. A very popular song, among our young people especially, states “I want to be a billionaire so … bad”. That is the dream of many today – to get rich, very rich, as it is assumed that with this wealth will come happiness.
If true happiness/joy came from riches then only the rich would be happy, only the rich could rejoice. The Watchword for today however shows us quite clearly that those who were considered to be on the margin of society, those who did not really matter much, the women and children, were able, in spite of their “lower-class” status, to “rejoice with great joy”. Their joy did not come from material possession, or social standing, their joy came because of thanksgiving for the mighty works carried out by God.
To what are you looking for your joy?
Let not your joy be based on temporal circumstances. Let not your joy be based on the labels others may put on you based on where you are from, where you live, your gender, or your bank account. Let your joy spring from thanksgiving for the great things God continue to do.
Prayer from Daily Watchwords – Thank you, God. This is the day that you have made – I will rejoice and be glad in it. Today I will look afresh at your world, your creation – the flowers, the trees, the birds, the animals, the babies, the young and the old. Thank you for the wonderful things you have made. Amen.
Rev. Gary Gardiner
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