How to Party Like Nehemiah
It was the morning of a neighborhood launch party for my new children’s book, The Most Powerful P. It was also the first chance I had to put together a short program for the event. I was tired from a myriad of activities so I needed God to lead me. I prayed, “Please show me, Lord; what do you want me to say or do?” Then in my spirit I heard, “Follow what Nehemiah did.”
I taught on the book of Nehemiah, so was familiar with the celebration. Nehemiah was an Israelite from Persia who managed the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem in 445 BC.
It began with a burden. When Nehemiah, the Persian king’s cupbearer, was told about the condition of the walls of Jerusalem, he felt a burden to help. Pearls of Promise feels a burden to help women overcome past dysfunction and trials, but also believes that through the children’s book about the power of prayer, we can give children a tool to use as adults when they face the inevitable trials life brings. There was a burden to publish.
Nehemiah praised God for his provision. Getting out of his job as the king’s cupbearer for an extended period of time had its risks. Nehemiah knew he could risk an on-the-spot death sentence if the king did not like his request. In advance of the meeting with the king, Nehemiah prayed and asked God for his favor, which was granted. The Most Powerful P was written over ten years ago but had not found a publisher. But after blowing the dust off the manuscript and praying for a way to publish the book, God not only provided the funds, but also provided a person with a heart for helping authors, Frank Ball, who volunteered to format the book. That is worth celebrating and giving God praise.
Nehemiah gathered the Israelites together for an eight-day celebration.
Our celebration was only two hours but we did include all of the elements of the Nehemiah-led mega event, including an impressive display of desserts. Thanks to Trish, Lori and Cathy for their contributions.
There was a time of prayer. The Israelites, at Nehemiah’s celebration, read a prayer (Nehemiah 9) that was a chronicle of God’s faithfulness to his people and their faithlessness to him. “In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully while we acted wickedly” (Nehemiah 9:33). Our ministry prayer coordinator, Alma, who was recovering from an automobile accident, presented a prayer that encouraged those assembled to not only praise God during the good times, but to also praise him during the bad times.
There was music. Lots of music. At the dedication of the new wall, Nehemiah put together two large choirs to sing praises to God and placed them on opposite ends of the wall. I didn’t think choirs would work in my home, but I knew there was a professional inspiration singer, Jayne Carter, attending our celebration. On the morning of the event, I asked Jayne if she would sing two of her songs. One of them made it to #3 on the Inspirational Country Music Chart. She agreed, and those who attended were blessed.
The Word of God was read. Ezra, the priest, read aloud the Book of Moses at the assembly. In every book I write, I pray for one specific verse to place in the books when I sign them. For The Most Powerful P, God gave me Ephesians 3:20-21. I knew generally what the verse said, but then upon reading it I realized why God provided this verse: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his POWER that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.” So I read that verse at our celebration and reminded everyone we need to remember to tap into the power of Christ. We often forget that his power is at our fingertips.
So the next time God works a wonder in your life, it’s OK to celebrate. Remember to party like Nehemiah who said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).