Nehemiah looked over a large wall. Marching alongside this wall was a choir made up of men, women, and children who were singing and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres. Two choirs were assembled to walk in each direction around the newly-built wall that was constructed in only 52 days. This newly-formed community was comprised of people from all over the map. Some of these people had been taken from their homes 70 years before, and some were born in foreign countries without ever having stepped foot in their parents’ homeland. Their temple, their house of worship, had been taken from them and made a place of worship for false gods. Now, Nehemiah saw his own people joined together once again in worship and community, celebrating what God had done. All over the countryside, the surrounding cities could hear the praises rolling over the hills, “and the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” (Nehemiah 12:43a)
Nehemiah was a man who had been called to rebuild and rededicate the City of David after 70 years of exile. He and the priest Ezra reintroduced the Word of God, and worship, back to the community. (Neh. 8-9) Right now, we are coming out of an extended stay-at-home order. Though this time has not been 70 years in length – though some of us may feel that way – we have most definitely felt the effects similar to the community of Israel. And we will also feel similar as we rejoin for worship once again.
This time of isolation and lack of community has been difficult for many of us, while others have had a wonderful time staying home in their PJs. Some of us have had the stress of no work or loss of a job while others, essential workers, have stayed busy. Some have had physical and health issues while others have never been healthier. Some have had deaths in their family or experienced great loss, and others may have found this a great time of healing and rejuvenation. And while many have felt lonely or depressed, others have enjoyed this time of peace and quiet. Even though we have all had various situations through this time of COVID-19, I truly believe that God has been faithful and has had a plan through it all.
We are blessed to be able to start the process of reopening the church doors and joining together once again in praise and worship. The story of Nehemiah and the assembly of God’s people has great similarity to our story now. There are some portions of this story that we can learn from in our own worship as a community for this season we find ourselves in.
Here are three amazing examples of worship found in Nehemiah:
1. They Worshiped with God’s Word (Neh. 8)
After the people came back together and the wall was completed, they asked Ezra the priest to read from the Law of Moses—the Word that was from God. After hearing and understanding the Word that was presented, the people responded by worshiping and bowing their heads to the ground. We as a church have a great opportunity to share the Word of God together, whether in person or online. What a blessing that we can still hear and understand the Bible, even in such a strange time as this.
2. They Worshiped with Humility
We all can learn from the example found in Nehemiah 9 where the people, after worshiping God, realized that they were not living according to God’s Word and repented for their sins. They worshiped through their repentance and stood and praised the name of God. What a great way to worship. God is a God full of grace and mercy, and these worshipers were humble enough to know that they needed God more than their old way of life. This humility led them to re-establish a covenant with God. In chapter 10 they made a new vow to God, and they stood on the Law of Moses once again. They turned their eyes to God. I pray that we all can stay focused on God with humility.
3. They Worshiped through Music and Song (Neh. 12:27-43)
The third area we see the residents of Jerusalem worship was with music and song. In Chapter 12, Nehemiah organized two large choirs to walk in opposite directions around the walls, filling the city with praise. They made their way back to the temple to sacrifice to God with joy. Music and singing can sometimes be the default in our minds when we say the word “worship,” and a large majority of our worship is done through song. But worship is a reaction in our hearts to God’s faithfulness and grace. Worship is holy communion between us and Him. A great way to show our love and praise back to Him, of course, is through song and music. As we gather once again to worship, yes, we will be using worship music; but beyond that, let us gather with hearts filled with joy and praise!
As Nehemiah looked out over this newly-formed group of worshipers, I’m sure his heart soared with joy. These worshipers were not worshiping as a means to ignore their surrounding issues but rather press through them. Neither do we join together again ignoring the troubles that still surround us. Instead. I want to encourage us all to come together once again, in person or online, with a heart of humility, standing on God’s Word. Let’s join together in song and music to celebrate what God has done, and is yet doing!
Tags: worship, music, word, songs, gather, rebuilding, heart of worship
