Read Nehemiah 11-12.
As governor, Nehemiah took the next steps in reestablishing
the city of Jerusalem and resettling the people in the land. While the national leaders lived in the city,
90% of the people did not. There were
fields to plant, herds to tend, and villages to populate. These moves required all the leadership and
organization skills that God had given to Nehemiah and others close to him.
The hard work of securing the city and organizing the people
was complete. Now, it was time to
dedicate their work to the LORD and to celebrate in great praise and
thanksgiving.
Musicians provided a key role in leading the
celebration. There were song writers,
music leaders, instrumentalists and vocalists who were set apart for this
ministry to serve alongside the priests and Levites.
They divided into two parading groups; one went south, the
other north. With leaders visible to the
people on the wall, the instruments played and the singers sang the songs of
David and Asaph (The Psalms).
Music is an indispensable part of worship. It is not an add on to the service. Rather, it is to be an expression of direct
communication of the worshiper to God, give voice to personal testimony, and/or
to encourage fellow worshipers. Indeed,
music is the only art form mentioned in the Bible that we will practice in
heaven.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching
and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians
3:16)
No comments:
Post a Comment